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The Benefits of Playing Video Games
| Citations: | 5 - 0 self |
BibTeX
@MISC{Granic_thebenefits,
author = {Isabela Granic and Adam Lobel and Rutger C. M. E. Engels},
title = {The Benefits of Playing Video Games},
year = {}
}
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Abstract
Video games are a ubiquitous part of almost all children’s and adolescents ’ lives, with 97 % playing for at least one hour per day in the United States. The vast majority of research by psychologists on the effects of “gaming ” has been on its negative impact: the potential harm related to violence, addiction, and depression. We recognize the value of that research; however, we argue that a more balanced perspective is needed, one that considers not only the possible negative effects but also the benefits of playing these games. Considering these potential benefits is impor-tant, in part, because the nature of these games has changed dramatically in the last decade, becoming in-creasingly complex, diverse, realistic, and social in nature. A small but significant body of research has begun to emerge, mostly in the last five years, documenting these benefits. In this article, we summarize the research on the positive effects of playing video games, focusing on four main domains: cognitive, motivational, emotional, and so-cial. By integrating insights from developmental, positive, and social psychology, as well as media psychology, we propose some candidate mechanisms by which playing video games may foster real-world psychosocial benefits. Our aim is to provide strong enough evidence and a the-oretical rationale to inspire new programs of research on the largely unexplored mental health benefits of gaming. Finally, we end with a call to intervention researchers and practitioners to test the positive uses of video games, and we suggest several promising directions for doing so.
Keyphrases
video game possible negative effect main domain medium psychology potential harm candidate mechanism positive effect several promising direction vast majority the-oretical rationale social psychology negative impact intervention researcher united state positive us ubiquitous part unexplored mental health benefit new program balanced perspective potential benefit last decade strong enough evidence real-world psychosocial benefit significant body adolescent life
