Video games get a bad rap. People have these preconceived notions that to play video games means you're lazy, and don't do anything else. While everything needs to be done in moderation, here are the reasons why playing video games makes you smarter.
1. Quick Problem Solving
Ever been in one of those situations where you have to choose whether to save your friend or save the planet? Yeah me too. It's not an easy one. When you play video games or any RPG (Role Play Game) You have to make split second decisions and then deal with the consequences of that choice. "Psychology Today" says it improves executive functioning. Executive functioning refers to a person’s ability to allot his or her mental resources (such as perception, attention, memory) in ways that allow for rapid, efficient problem solving or decision-making.
2. Improves Cognitive Function
There have been a lot of different studies that have been done regarding video games. In these experiments, the typical finding is that those who play the video game improve on measures of basic perceptual and cognitive abilities while those in the control group do not, says "Psychology Today." It is said to help people who suffer from ADD and ADHD, and dyslexia.
3. Improves Job Related Skills
With improving your cognitive function and all the things that come a long with that, playing video games can actually improve your hand eye coordination and memory recall. These skills can improve your function at work.
4. Socializing And Making New Friends
For a lot of people, live gaming has helped them to break through their social anxiety problems. It also gives people a chance to meet awesome friends. We all know the best friends are the ones who game. I know there are people out there whose closest friends have come from people they have met gaming online. Also RPG such as Magic The Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons helps you get out and have fun with other gamers. I work at a Library and we have Minecraft Club and a Dungeons and Dragons Club. I can't tell you enough about how popular these groups are and how much fun they have at each meeting.
5. Expands Your Imagination
People who play video games tend to have an increased imagination and are more creative. A study was done at Michigan State University, where they found that when they took 500 kids, the kids that played video games more were more creative with doing things such as writing stories and other artistic activities.
If these reasons don't convince you, then I don't know what will. In fact, get off social media and go play a video game right now!
