It has been a long-standing belief that video games have a negative impact on children, but recent research suggests that this is not the case. In fact, several studies assume that gaming and playing slots for fun actually increases cognitive skills and patience levels while also enhancing problem-solving abilities, especially if you manage to get True Blue casino $100 no deposit bonus. Research into the topic has found that many of these benefits are due to gamers developing an increased ability to think outside the box as well as being less judgmental when playing game scenarios in which they must choose one course of action over another.
While it may seem counterintuitive for young people who spend too much time indoors enjoying digital fare, those who play video games are actually more mentally adept than those with a less rigorous schedule; researchers say there is plenty of evidence to support this trend. Here are six ways in which video games change the brain:
- Opening of children’s minds
- Approach to problem-solving
- Solving real-life problems
- Hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Empathy and compassion
Opening of Children’s Minds
There are many positive side effects of video gaming that are not widely publicized as the news media tends to present only negative information regarding online pastimes. Among these benefits is the opening of children’s minds, a psychological trait known as open-mindedness. Those who spend most of their time playing video games also exhibit less prejudice and racial bias towards other groups than non-gamers or occasional gamers.
Open-mindedness can be defined in two ways: cognitively, how much one thinks outside the box and emotionally, how much one is tolerant of others and accepts different lifestyles. As people age, many tend to become more close-minded and rigid in their thinking, but playing games regularly does not encourage this. In fact, research has found that gamers are more flexible and tolerant to differences than regular non-gamers. Even those who are only occasional players of video games tend to be less close-minded than the typical adult.
Approach to Problem-solving
A study that examined the effects of video games on cognitive skills found that players develop an increased capacity for creativity and exploration as well as a greater ability to resolve problems through innovative thinking. When presented with two scenarios, one in which they must choose one course of action over another, dedicated gamers are better able than non-gamers to determine which option will eventually reap the greatest benefits despite immediate drawbacks.
The researchers who conducted this investigation also noted other differences between gamers and non-gamers: gamers tend to be more flexible and adaptable while questioning traditional values, patterns, and beliefs; they are less likely than their peers to judge others based on stereotypes; avid gamers are more open-minded when considering new ideas; and finally, they are more likely to consider all alternatives before deciding which course of action will be best.
Solving Real-Life Problems
When presented with a difficult problem, avid gamers are able to look beyond the obvious and discover new solutions. This ability is most important in the workplace, where workers must solve complicated problems by examining several different strategies before choosing the correct path. As gaming technology advances, so does the realism of virtual scenarios, which require players to think outside the box when determining how they will be able to survive or accomplish their goals.
The best survival horror games test one’s ability to stay calm under duress and teach valuable skills that can enhance any player’s performance in either a professional or personal setting. This explains why many members of today’s workforce play these types of games regularly. Gamers who enjoy first-person shooters such as Call of Duty are literally training their minds to think critically when presented with unusual scenarios, while team-based games such as League of Legends are helping people learn how to work better in a group.
Hand-eye Coordination and Fine Motor Skills
As mentioned earlier, first-person shooters such as Call of Duty are good for developing cognitive skills; however, many players enjoy these games specifically because of how challenging they are. While many people believe that it takes incredible hand-eye coordination to play these types of video games well, this is not the case; rather, gamers must be able to react quickly but in a calm manner when their character faces stressful or life-threatening situations.
When presented with dangerous scenarios, some players allow their emotions to become too involved, which often results in them making mistakes that ensure their virtual deaths. However, those who remain even-keeled while playing these games are more likely to take similar approaches when faced with stressful situations in their personal lives. Usually, they are able to maintain their composure better than the average person; that is why many employers seek out people who frequently play first-person shooters.
Problem-solving Skills
Many people become upset when they reach a level that is too difficult for them to beat but, surprisingly enough, this is often a good thing since it forces gamers to rethink their strategies. Rather than becoming despondent after they fail at a new challenge on several occasions, players must try different methods until they find one that helps them think outside of the box.
This is typically the same case with playing casinos, where you get awarded top casino bonuses depending on your achievements. Rather than giving up easily, those who frequently play video games such as The Last of Us are more likely to master how to overcome problems because of how much time they have spent practicing. As these gaming levels become more advanced, so do the characters’ situations, which put gamers into situations that are very similar to the ones they may experience in their personal lives.
Empathy and Compassion
Many video games allow players to choose which characters live or die. For example, in Skyrim, a popular game published by Bethesda Softworks, a developer known for making some of the most violent and graphic video games such as Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and DOOM (2016), gamers can decide whether or not to spare certain enemies. When faced with these decisions, many people often find themselves on either side of the spectrum: they either want every living thing to perish except for them so that no one will stand in their way during their quest, or they do not like seeing anyone hurt even if it is an enemy.
Those who empathize with all of the characters are often known for being compassionate and kind towards others; they do not feel that every person in the world is simply trying to hurt them, which is why they will always give their enemies a chance to redeem themselves before deciding whether or not to take their lives. Those who do not understand why these people cannot bring themselves to kill more than necessary tend to have a lot of anger and resentment built up inside of them, so they lash out at those around them because it allows them to release their pent-up emotions without hurting anyone else physically.
In Closing
While gaming does offer many benefits, it is not a cure-all solution for all problems children may face throughout their lives. Children with learning disabilities or developmental delays may need extra help to improve upon these areas. However, playing digital games can certainly help make schoolwork easier and more enjoyable for these children, especially if certain educational titles are used.
