The Benefits of Video Games
Why We're Addicted to Gaming (Especially PlayStation, X-Box & Wii)
Jan 24, 2007
"Wanna play Smash-Up Derby?" Either my husband or I will ask after a few hours away from PlayStation or X-Box. Like millions of gamers, we're addicted to video games.
Video Game Psychology: Why We're Addicted to Gaming
We're addicted to gaming because video games are fun and, competitive, satisfying, and even thrilling. We're addicted to video games for reasons that aren't always easy to articulate – unless of course you're a psychologist at the University of Rochester, working in collaboration with a virtual environment think tank called Immersyve. This is video game psychology at its best.
Video Game Psychology: The Social Benefits of Video Games
Video game researchers discovered that games that provide a sense of freedom and connection to other people are more fun, which is why we get addicted to gaming. Video games that are merely "fun" aren't as addictive. We're addicted to gaming because of the sense of achievement, positive experiences, and connections to the real world. We're addicted to gaming because of the combination of reality and fantasy. For instance, PlayStation's Smash Up Derby allows us to combine the reality of driving classic T-Birds with the fantasy of smashing into one another at 100 miles an hour, rolling over dozens of time, and racking up the points.
Another benefit of video games is that they allow us to release interpersonal tensions in harmless ways.
Video Game Psychology: New Gaming Developments
The fastest growing gaming segment is "massively multiplayer online", or MMO, which allows hundreds of thousands of gamers to play simultaneously. Massively multiplayer online fulfills the need for relatedness and a sense of presence, as well as increased game enjoyment. These benefits of video games will keep us addicted to gaming. Some airlines and bars offer this, as does the internet.
A recent development is activity oriented video games, developed and studied by the Mayo Clinic. These developments will create more people addicted to video games. Instead of sitting on the couch, gamers are "placed" in the video game to participate in the activities. While gamers catch balls and dodge objects, their energy expenditure is three times higher than if they were sitting on the sofa. That physical workout may be even better than going to they gym!
Video Game Psychology: Getting Smarter With Games
A workout for your brain is another video game possibility. Educational video games provide both mental and social benefits to gamers. Immune Attack is an educational video game presented by the Federation of American Scientists.
"The game allows students to use sights, sounds, and touch to get better acquainted with the immune system," says a high school teacher. "Students also interact with each other, have problem-solving discussions to enhance their game play and ultimate learning of the subject." There are many benefits of video games here. Immune Attack features different infections and new immune cells to train. Players maneuver among red blood cells, squeeze through vessel walls, and fight off invading pathogens – all the while learning about their own immune system.
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