Benefits Of Video Games (videogiochi)And Positive Effects On The Person

A large part of the academic and scientific world affirms that video games, used with caution , can bring benefits to the physical and mental health of players.

Furthermore, studies have been growing lately showing that video games, according to the type , can stimulate and improve various cognitive abilities. In particular, imagination and creativity, problem solving skills, information processing speed and visual-spatial coordination skills.

For this reason, in various situations they can also be used for teaching, educational purposes and for “ digital therapy “.

Video game (esport gaming) involvement of pc mondo giochi

The basis of the benefits of video games rests on their considerable value in engaging players. To intrinsically motivate them both to continue using them and to fully commit themselves to improving their performance.

To generate this involvement, a specific game design is enriched with elements suitable for this purpose. Including rules, challenges, feedback, rewards, difficulty levels.

The scientific literature offers various interpretations that would be at the basis of videogame involvement processes. They start from the search for the satisfaction of specific needs of the player. Like feeling skilled or expert in an activity, autonomous and decisive in making choices, related and interactive with others.

Therefore, these promising benefits can be exploited by introducing gaming into areas that used to be considered unrelated to it. This can be done through interventions such as gamification , also known as CCI (Computerized Cognitive Interventions), a cognitive training technique. It consists of applying video game elements and mechanisms to make a system not primarily designed to entertain and generate motivational benefits engaging.

Another perspective is serious games , a specific field of gamification, made up of games designed for purposes that are not primarily ludicrous. They have educational content alongside the pleasure of the game (such as physical exercise, in the case of exergames ).

Benefits of video games: scientific evidence

Videogame involvement can be an innovative and encouraging solution as a support to users and experts. Both in the fields of healthcare and in those of learning and teaching .

Benefits of video games on healthcare

In this context, the benefits can be different. How to increase the motivation of patients and subjects to participate in study tests. And also enhance the skills and competencies of health professionals as well as students’ knowledge about disability and health.

In general , elements such as feedback, prizes and rewards in videogame activities make it possible to make different clinical protocols compelling. Thus keeping the patient’s adherence to the procedures to be followed high.

These systems are used to involve patients in carrying out diagnostic tests or repetitive and demotivating therapeutic-rehabilitative exercises . They are also used to distract patients from pain caused by pathologies or clinical interventions. And also to treat anxiety disorders and phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder .

Furthermore, video games can also be proposed to encourage motor and cognitive activities. They can serve to entertain older people, with competitive activities on a physical and mental level. As well as to educate people with chronic diseases, such as diabetes , on an appropriate lifestyle .

If you want to learn more about this topic, we have dedicated a specific article to video games used as therapy .

Benefits of video games on the cognitive sphere

Many experiments have demonstrated positive effects of strategic video games in enhancing perception , memory , attention and executive function . Problem solving also benefits , i.e. the ability to solve problems or make decisions quickly and efficiently.

Furthermore, the use of specific video games can help treat disorders such as attention deficit disorder (ADHD) .

Benefits of video games on Visual Processes

Several studies have shown that electronic games have benefits on the visual process . In fact, they can improve contrast sensitivity , or the ability to distinguish small differences in gray tones.

In addition, other research has shown benefits on amblyopia , i.e. the impairment of the visual function of one eye. The pathology improves in many of the players tested. And stereoscopic vision, i.e. the ability to coordinate the two eyes to perceive depth, also returns to normal.

In action games peripheral vision is developed more , which allows you to glimpse opponents on the edge of the screen.

Benefits of video games on Developmental Dyslexia

Several studies have shown that video games are effective in the prevention and treatment of Developmental Dyslexia ( Specific Reading Disorder). It is a hereditary neurobiological disorder, which occurs in children of developmental age. Significantly interferes with academic learning or with daily activities that require reading skills.

Currently, treatments are based on phonological enhancement, in order to speed up and improve reading accuracy.

However, recent research shows that the attentional system is involved in dyslexia . Therefore, some scholars propose the use of specific action video games, the Action Video Games (AVG) for prevention and rehabilitation. A new alternative to the traditional phonological model, which significantly improves reading skills, even playing for just 12 hours.

Furthermore, AVG rehabilitation has also been applied to subjects with Specific Language Disorder (DSL) . A developmental neuropsychological deficit, in which communication is impoverished, with short, simple sentences. Added to this is poor syntactic and grammatical construction, with difficulty finding words and learning new ones.

It has also been shown that children with DSL also have an attention deficit , as in dyslexia.

Benefits of video games on human well-being

It happens to everyone to play a video game or an app on their smartphone to relax. Or to free, even briefly, the mind from some negative thoughts. Here, after a few minutes, you feel a feeling of well-being and rediscovered inner peace.

Is it possible or is it just an ephemeral subjective illusion? Maybe not !

In fact, the hypothesis that the video game activity can benefit the health and well-being of the person is supported and tested by many quarters .

The Oxford Internet Institute tested the correlation between time spent playing two multiplayer titles and improved mood. The games were suitable for all ages. It turned out that the actual amount of time spent playing would have small but significant positive effects on mental well-being .

The fun and satisfaction felt by the players stimulate the positive sensations of the psychophysical sphere. They also improve autonomy, the sense of belonging to the group and the ability to experience pleasure while having fun.

To underline all this, the results of a research conducted by the RMIT University of Melbourne. Research has shown that video games help the brain stimulate the production of endorphins . These are neurotransmitters naturally produced by the brain which have an analgesic , antidepressant effect and give a sensation of pleasure and well-being .

Furthermore, practice and the use of the intellect improve game performance. This helps to develop and improve your self-confidence every time you reach a goal.

Other published studies claim that playing video games would reduce physical and mental stress .

A US research shows that video games with body movements (Wii Fit, Just Dance) promote physical well-being. In fact they promote weight loss and muscle toning and improve posture.

However, this new positive scenario for the world of video games still needs to be explored.

Benefits of video games on socialization

One category that is growing in popularity among young people is multiplayer games . With them you can play simultaneously with other players, wherever they are in the world. Through chat, or live with headphones and microphone, also using languages ​​other than your own.

All this favors social interaction , cooperation and a sense of community . But also the competition and the improvement of one’s skills by learning from more experienced players.

A study published by an American Research Company attests that many video games help to socialize through large virtual communities. Thus good cooperation skills are developed.

In fact, with the advent of online video games, the virtual world intersects with the social one . Online video games allow the establishment of social relationships even between very distant people. Research has found that social relationships are strongly correlated with self-perception of well-being. It follows that online video games can promote well-being, especially in those people with little propensity for socializing.

Benefits of video games on learning and teaching

Other positive aspects of video games seem to be linked to learning and teaching .

In fact, it has been highlighted how, unlike traditional methodologies, video games allow players to have direct experience of the contents. This is because they bring them into the heart of the events and situations being studied.

According to various researches, children who use video games can develop logical and perceptual-motor skills and learn subjects while having fun. Furthermore, playful learning is motivating and engaging and generates the pleasure of building knowledge in a group.

Learning while having fun would be the easiest way to achieve the set goals.

Literature has shown that the use of video games can increase linguistic, mathematical and reading knowledge . They are also a valid learning support tool for children with disabilities , attention difficulties and impulsivity .

Other benefits of video games

Even in terms of work , video games are becoming valuable allies.

It is now known that playing video games allows you to develop many skills that are highly sought after by companies today. Each type of video game is capable of developing different skills. For example, ability to quickly and effectively solve problems ( Problem Solving ) and to observe them from different angles ( Lateral Thinking ). But also in building cohesive and collaborative working groups ( Team Building ).

Today, edugames , training games, used in fields such as universities, companies and the military are also quite widespread .

Among other things, according to scholars, video games would also be useful as an experiential adjuvant in real life. In fact, the skills learned during gaming can be transferred from game to reality. They take on the role of a real learning mechanism (e.g. flight or driving simulators).

Conclusions and advice

In the end , we can say that scientific research reaches particularly interesting conclusions compared to what was theorized in the past. In practice, it disavows some prejudices about video games and opens up new perspectives for this current sector with unexplored potential.

However , it must be taken into consideration that the use of video games can affect both psychic and behavioral levels. For this, they must be used properly . Its abuse, i.e. excessive, continuous and systematic use, must be avoided. They must not come to condition life, daily activities and relationships, up to real addiction.