Positive Outcomes Of Video Games - 1576 Words

Zaura Fadhliani Professor Lydia Elac 0023 November 24, 2014 Positive Outcomes of Video Games Video games are the fastest growing form of entertainment in the world and many adolescents play video games for hours every day. According to a survey conducted by Gallagher, 58% of Americans play video games and 43% of game players believe that computer and video games give them the most value for their money, compared with DVDs, music or going out to the movies (2-3). However, in the past few decades there has been debate over the positive and negative effects of video games. Most people think that video games just cause problems in the world today. For example, a large amount of developmental and social psychological research in the video†¦show more content†¦This idea is relevant with a study included in 2009 s Annual Review of Cyber therapy and Telemedicine which found that gamers who suffered from mental health issues such as stress and depression were able to vent their frustration and aggression by playing video games — and showed a noted improvement. The stu dy hypothesized that games gave certain Type A personalities time to relax in a state of relative mindlessness that allowed them to avoid reaching a certain level of stressful arousal as they tried to relax (Gallagher). Video games are not just used for pure enjoyment and fun. Although all games incorporate exciting features, in order to be bought by the average gamer, they have to have some type of puzzle to solve which requires more than just clicking a trigger and watching something blow up. While playing games, people have to decide if they want to take the path to the right or the left. What will be the consequences if they choose the right path or vice versa. Therefore, playing video games allows people to gain a decision making skill that helps the players balance their life in the real world. Moreover, many gamers are told over and over that they have trouble focusing. However, a study conducted by Daphne Bavelier and her team, is showing that gamers’ attention and focus is actually better than that of non-gamers. They are capable of resolving visual conflicts faster, which is frequently used in the lab to determine