I. Introduction a. Audience hook: How many hours do you or someone you know spend playing video games a week? In 2013, the average US gamer played 6.3 hours a week (Aamoth, 2014). This was 3 years ago, since then so many new video games and consoles have been released, I can only imagine this number has grown. b. Thesis statement: Research suggests that massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPG) improve scientific thinking because it creates increased cognitive and problem solving capabilities. c. Preview of Main points: i. Certain video games can increase cognitive capabilities. ii. Studies indicate that video games can be link to increase problem solving skills. II. …show more content…
Most of these games lead up to encounters that require multiple players to achieve an objective. In World of Warcraft, this can be either raids or dungeons. During these encounters, there are many abilities that could cause your character to die. Harmful effects dropping under your feet, not moving away from areas that have huge impacts coming. Most of these encounters require that most players be alive to be able to complete. If you are someone who dies a lot, chances are you won’t be able to raid. This alone motivates people to play closer attention, and after time these fast-paced, split-second decision making can become second …show more content…
One group played “World of Warcraft” and the other didn’t. Compared to the control group, some who played the game showed improved focus and spatial orientation (McCormack, 2012). • I, myself, have played World of Warcraft for almost 10 years now. I often find when I’m out with my friends who don’t play the game, or any video games at all, that I tend to notice things a lot faster and am often the first to point things out. Even after pointing this out my friends often wonder how I spotted, or how I reacted so quickly. I do attribute my fast thinking to this game. I’m constantly trying to take in as much information about the world surrounding me, so that I’m not caught off guard. III. Main Point 2: Video games increase problem solving skills. a. Studies compared surgeons who play video games to those who don't. Who did the edge go to? i. The study consisted of 33 laparoscopic surgeons found that those who played video games were 27 percent faster at advanced surgical procedures and made 37 percent fewer errors than those who didn't (LeBlanc, 2008). • As you can see the edge went to the gamer surgeons. The study even took into account other factors, such as age, training, and amount of surgeries. Maybe one should inquire if their surgeon plays video games when asked “Anymore questions for
Video games do not make us more intelligent. They may however, make us more prone to violence and sex. Video games are preventing us from screening out distractions and making thinking deeply a difficult task. Our brains become overwhelmed when multitasking. Moreover, Johnson states “... a modern video game can take forty hours to complete”. Forty hours keep kids from homework and as Rachael Rettner states in livescience, “The results show that boys given a PlayStation II are slower to progress in their reading and writing skills and have more learning problems reported by their teachers than those not given a system”. The sole reason studies come back positive for video games being productive is due to the fact that they test a regular video gamer with a non-gamer. Regular video gamers will do better in the study because the more they play, the better they get. Not many realize the effect of these “fully realized imaginary worlds”, it is making it harder for people to differentiate their virtual life with their real
“Most reported effects of videogames – particularly in the popular press – appear to centre upon the alleged negative consequences… Research has consistently shown that playing computer games (irrespective of genre) produces reductions in reaction times, improved hand-eye co-ordination and raises players’ self-esteem,” (Griffiths p. 47), states Mark Griffiths in his article, “The educational benefits of videogames”. When people think of video games, they often tend to think about the negative side effects that video games can have on a person. Will Wright in his article, “Dream Machines” also defends video games by providing positive effects that video games have on those who play them. Wright presents
There is much persistent debate throughout culture these days concerning video games. Common questions asked are things like ?Where should the lines be drawn in terms of content? and What audience, if any, is this appropriate for? As lawyers fight, bizarre crimes are blamed on video games, constant studies take place, and technology continues to evolve, the video game world continues to thrive and be extremely profitable. While there is near-constant focus on the supposed ?negatives? of games like simulated killing, drug use, or sex, most people, especially those completely outside of gaming circles, fail to acknowledge that gaming of any kind can possibly have positive effects on players. While increased hand-eye coordination is a common benefit attributed to gaming, one particular study conducted revealed a mixed bag of possibly positive and negative effects.
AsapSCIENCE. “Can Video Games Make You Smarter?” Youtube. 10 January 2014. Web. 1 May 2014.
One way in which video games can be beneficial is by supporting individuals’ intellectual development in the areas of problem solving and logic. Games like Cut the Rope, Angry Birds and The Incredible Machine require players to solve a puzzle under time limited conditions. When people are playing these games, they practice their critical thinking skills and creativity, which are both important components of intelligence.
Studies have shown that educational games can help children’s visual intelligence skills (Subrahmanyam, Kaveri, et al. 128). The. Similarly, some research has found that computer use helps kids with alphabet recognition, language, early mathematical knowledge and learning (Bremer 412).
There have been several studies conducted on learning and serious games, for example, a recent study by the Office of Naval Research found that video game players performed ten to twenty percent better in perceptual and cognitive ability than non-game players, and that video games helped adults process information faster(Steinberg,2012). Another study by the Federation of American Scientists found that students re...
... immerse us in the situation, but when the game is over, we realize that it is over. In real life, no one is invincible. Bad things can still happen to you.
"Interest In Gaming Grows With Focus On Competitiveness, Engagement And Critical Thinking. (Cover Story)." Electronic Education Report 14.12 (2007): 1-3.
Nowadays, video games are frequently accused of having detrimental effects on children and adolescents. The main arguments against video games are that they lead to addiction, that they provoke violence, and that they impair social development. Whether or not such claims are true has not been determined with certainty as scientific studies have produced contradictory results. Nevertheless, video games also have beneficial effects, which tend to be underrated, as they do not receive the same level of media coverage that adverse ones do, and are thus unknown to the general public. Some of the positive effects of playing video games on mental development include: stimulating analytical thinking, improving concentration, and encouraging planning and anticipation (“Video game controversies”).
"Video game play may provide learning, health, social benefits." American Psychological Association. February 2014, Vol 45, No. 2
Video game have been claimed as addictive, a waste of time, and a distraction. While this does apply to some people, others have found the benefits to playing video games. These benefits include simulating working environments, helping people escape working environments, and giving great experiences. Although these benefits seems to be beneficial, it still stands that video games are a waste of time in which other things can be more productive.
In a kids case, they believe that reading during the game will help them beat the game. Therefore, they will read even though they may not realize that they are improving their literacy skills at the same time as playing the game. A game may improve your visual skills as well. A study by researchers from the University of Rochester came to the conclusion that video game players gain better visual skills than people that don’t play them. Video game players can keep track of more objects at a time.