Videogames: A Therapeutic Analysis

International studies have shown that between seven and eleven per cent of gamers show some symptoms associated with addiction. Some teens are heavy users of online role-playing games (RPGs) such as World of Warcraft and multiplayer games such as Call of Duty in which they interact with other players in real time. These teens will often neglect schoolwork and other aspects of their daily lives when they become immersed in these games. The American Medical Association has identified “video game overuse” as ‘behaviour’.

Video games have been around since the days of space invaders and pong, what about modern games that seem to be more violent and less practical? Most computer games actually can refine the brain by riddling players with puzzles and tasks that improve comprehension. Parts of the brain are strengthened while playing games that aren't commonly used. This platform is helping kids with dyslexia learn to read, Vanessa Harrar a psychologist says, ‘"These video games require you

When playing video games, the coordination and concentration can physically, socially, and mentally benefit the user. Research today shows that certain video games can reduce fat and therefore promote weight loss. Other sources state that doctors have instructed parents to let their children play video games to help control focus. It is found that video games can improve hand eye

Therapists all across America are using video games to help their patients that have had problems functioning their arms and legs properly. But some think that the traditional way is the key to functioning normally. But I know that video game therapy is the best way for patients.

Video game addiction “generally refers to an excessive, unhealthy amount of playing of games. Rather than engaging in the real world, an addicted user devotes the majority of his or her time to gaming. The addicted gamer often isolates him/herself from others, ignores more important responsibilities, and is often obsessed with obtaining higher status / ranking / achievements in his/her favorite game.” (Conrad, page 1, par.1) This is an uprising problem between teens and adults that is forming into a worldwide issue that some people need serious help to quit. Video game addiction has serious affects on the human body and mind. It ruins relationships, destroys your health, and influences unusual behavior. The worst thing about it is that many do not take it seriously.

There is a lot of research into what affects gaming has on children's mental health, consequently there is research into both sides of the argument. Gaming has an effect on mental health, but not necessarily in a negative way. I strongly argue that gaming affects mental health in a positive way so accordingly I will set out to prove it. We will be discussing a wide range of sources, showing a collective of views, saying how video games are good for mental health, video games affect mental health in a violent way or whether it affects their social ability?

Video games (electronic games that can be played on one’s computer, television or any display screen) are popular today adolescents. Although games are fun and entertaining many people worry about the violent content within some games. Violent video gaming has been a huge topic of concern because people fear it will lead to aggressive behavior. Although there is considerable evidence that link violent video games to aggressive behavior and cognition, the interpretation of the connection differs in each study and the fact still remains, the debate is ongoing.

The world we live in has changed dramatically over the last thirty years with the invention of the internet, smart phones, and video gaming systems. The world we live in now was unimaginable and the technology advances we have made are remarkable. Video game consoles and how we as a society play them has changed dramatically since the beginning of gaming in the 1970’s. Over the last decade there have been many arguments concerning video games such as too much violence, obesity, addiction, social wellbeing, and many other health related issues. Video games also have some advantages to include hand eye coordination, a strategic mind set, educational and teach life lessons to the players. However, video games do cause more harm than good

Everyone has their outlet, whether it’s reading, working out, or just hanging out with a friend for a bit; life is crazy and having a way to let out stress is a healthy way of living. Although this is true, one outlet of stress that is becoming larger and larger throughout the years is video games. It was an obvious theme throughout Ready Player One that the world they were living in was so corrupt, that an alternate world was a better option to live in than reality. The world we live in now is nothing like the corrupt world of Ready Player One, yet video games are taking over many teens’ lives. There are countless negative effects these video games have on teenagers including an increase in violence, a negative effect on grades, and anti-social and depressed feelings. If teens continue this obsession with basically living in an alternate world, their reality is going to get very challenging.

Many people are failing to realize that in todays changing world, our physical health is stagnating as society is advancing . As the prevalence of video games increases, the amount of outdoor activity decreases. As iPads and television and cell phones reach the younger ages, children are too preoccupied with technology to be physically active. As the towns get more crowded and the streets less safe, access to an outside space to run and play becomes increasingly difficult to find. In todays society, the opportunity for physical activity is decreasing. Today, for children who do not do extracurricular sports, Physical Education in school is the only form of exercise they experience. To take that away would be a tragedy for children’s development. Contrary to popular belief, P.E. exercises more than just the body; having a significant influence on five developmental domains: physical, lifestyle, affective, social and cognitive. As changes and advances occur within the community and school systems, our children’s health cannot be taken as collateral damage. Physical Education must be continued in the schools in order to promote physical fitness and heathy living, good mental health and positive social interactions.

The topic that will be introduced and talk about throughout this paper is video game play and some may question video play. Throughout the generation’s parents always tend to get A whole negative effect about it although it can be very distracting at times. In this report it's all about the positive impact video games influence on the people around the world. Video game play will improve one’s skills and enhance memory all around the positive side of video game play it will focus on developing problem solving skills and also focus on individual characteristics

Bavelier, Eichenbaum, and Green (2014) explained the positive aspects of video games on individuals’ skills and abilities. Video games were found to improve one’s mental capacities that decline with age and promote work skills. Not only did video game players acquire skills, they improved perceptual and cognitive processing such as working memory and abstract reasoning because games enforced players to constantly keep track of many items simultaneously in various levels of perception and cognition. Action video games especially enhanced the players’ vision in contrast sensitivity, crowded acuity, visual selective attention, and multiple object-tracking tasks. Additionally, action gamers showed improved attention in executive functions such as sustained attention block, impulsivity block, dual tasking, and task switching. To take a step further, video games can be applied to real life for medical purposes to help correct vision for those with amblyopia, train visual attention for dyslexic children, and educate children about illnesses.

Video games have been a growing phenomenon since the mid 1980s. With the vast improvements in technology, the video gaming industry had evolved from simple two dimensional games to realist, fast paced, life like experiences. Along with its growth there has been an ongoing discussion of whether video games are beneficial or hazardous to children and adolescents. Fast-paced games allows children and adults to become a better decision maker, enhance their ability to learn, and helping them to become less antisocial.

Controversy about video games continue to escalate between parents and gamers, regarding the psychological effect of simulated, realistic, and 3D violence on the minds of young children and growing teenagers. Yet, research shows that video games contribute very little to today’s everyday violence, despite complaints and concerns that games influence a child’s normal behavior. Technology is a way of life in today’s world, computers are used by toddlers, adolescents, and adults alike. No matter what career path a person chooses, the computer plays an essential role in the job. The more our technology progresses and as our industry grows stronger, computers and electronic entertainment will grow to be found everywhere around the world. This includes videogames.

The activity I had chosen for this assignment is as follows; every day in my house I have always noticed how my siblings, precisely my brothers enjoy spending plenty of hours playing video games such as PS4 and X-box. On a particular day, I decided to try and play for the first time, their video games. I noticed that as they walked into their room and saw me trying to use the gamepads I could tell that they were bewildered by their facial expression. The first question they had asked me, was what I was doing? And I told them that I wanted to play one of their video games. Given my response, they seemed to think that I was been sarcastic. Furthermore, while I was trying to figure out how certain buttons on the gamepads function, they had told me how video games are not meant for girls the other ‘’manly’’ and such kinds of games would take a longer time for me to learn. Furthermore, the reason I choose to do this activity is because the activity relates to the materials and topics of the course, it also helped me understand the teachings discussed in the course that can be applied in a practical way in everyday life. This activity also enlightened me on ways to how gendered stereotypes exist and how it is depicted in modern day society, through the medium of video games.