Role Of Video Games In Improving Cognitive Skills(Part 2)

http://www.bcs.rochester.edu/people/Daphne/TCN_of_VGP.pdf

"As cognitive neuroscientists we are interested not only in the perceptual
consequences of a training regimen, but also the neural factors involved in learning. A
group of researchers in Britain sought to understand the neurochemical consequences of
video game play (Koepp et al. 1998). These researchers measured the amount of
dopamine released when subjects played an action video game (in this case maneuvering
a tank through a battlefield and destroying enemy tanks). Dopamine is one of many
chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters that allow the modulation of information
passed from brain area to brain area. Dopamine is of particular interest because it is
thought to play a role in a wide range of human behavior including pleasure, addiction,
and learning. For instance, most drugs of addiction produce pleasure by increasing the
amount of dopamine in the brain. Using a form of brain imaging (Positron Emission
Tomography or PET) the researchers were able to determine whether playing a video
game increased the amount of dopamine released by the brain. A massive increase in the
amount of dopamine released in the brain was indeed observed during video game play,
in particular in areas thought to control reward and learning. The level of increase was
remarkable, being comparable to that observed when amphetamines are injected
intravenously."

"However, some caution must also be taken in interpreting these results.
While at first sight one may be tempted to conclude that video game play enhances not
only visuo-motor skills, but also intelligence, an alternative is that measures of
intelligence most commonly used, such as the WAIS-R test, are heavily dependent on
speed of processing. Many tests of intelligence place a premium on speed of processing,
and it has been shown that such intelligence tests strongly correlate with speed of
processing measures. Therefore, video game experience may increase the ability to make
speeded choices, without affecting other aspects of intelligence such as analytical skills
or creativity. Whether or not this should constitute an increase in “intelligence” is a
matter of some debate."

"Another group that has been shown to benefit from video game training are
laparoscopic surgeons. A recent report by Rosser and colleagues (Rosser Jr. et al.
January 2004) suggested that video game players may in fact be better laparoscopic
surgeons than non-gamers. Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive form of surgery
in which a camera and operating instruments are introduced into the body via small
incisions. The surgeon then conducts the surgery by maneuvering the instruments based
on viewing the images from the internal camera. Visual attention, manual dexterity, and
hand-eye coordination are of even more importance than in normal open surgery. Rosser
and colleagues found that surgeons who played video games more than 3 hours per week
committed 37% fewer errors, were 27% faster at laparoscopic drills, and were 33% better
at suturing tasks than non-video game playing surgeons. Using a multiple comparison
analysis, the authors found that a surgeon’s video game experience is a better predictor of
surgical skill than number of years of practice or number of operations completed! The
authors suggest that video games could be used as an important “warm-up” for
laparoscopic surgeons or that the development of surgeon specific video games could
greatly enhance surgical aptitude."

Harmful Effects Of Excessive Indulgence

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118998785/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

Craig A. Anderson & Brad J. Bushman

¹ Iowa State University
"Research on exposure to television and movie violence suggests that playing violent video games will increase aggressive behavior. A meta-analytic review of the video-game research literature reveals that violent video games increase aggressive behavior in children and young adults. Experimental and nonexperimental studies with males and females in laboratory and field settings support this conclusion. Analyses also reveal that exposure to violent video games increases physiological arousal and aggression-related thoughts and feelings. Playing violent video games also decreases prosocial behavior."

http://www.cyberfest.us/Education/Video_Games_in_Education-MIT_Study.pdf
"Provenzo, the most outspoken and oft-quoted of
video game critics, raises four main concerns
with video games. Video games:
a) can lead to violent, aggressive behavior,
b) employ destructive gender stereotyping,
c) promote unhealthy “rugged
individualist” attitudes, and
d) stifle creative play (Provenzo 1991;
1992)."