The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf] • Hacker News Board

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#21

Post by 6stringmerc » Thu, Jan 19, 2017, 2:34 PM UTC

TulliusCicero wrote: post #17

It's funny, because we'll talk all day long about how (physical) play is so important to a child's cognitive development, never considering that maybe mentally-focused play is also beneficial. The very fact that video games are so compelling/addictive has given them the reputation of being nonproductive, so we tend to assume that they must give little or no benefit to the individual player.

Games are quite passive in the grand scheme of things and do little to actually challenge cognition. Compared to other basic toys / learning devices, video games don't have compelling research because I don't think it'll work out. There's no 3 dimensional space to work through (Legos), no emotional play (dolls, action figures), visual imagination time (crayons, Play Doh)...on and on and on with better examples that don't need batteries and are more stimulating than being a button mashing monkey.

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#22

Post by ptero » Thu, Jan 19, 2017, 2:36 PM UTC

warcode wrote: post #18

WA wrote: post #2

Having only read the abstract and key points: The question is if video games have a better positive impact on cognitive abilities than other things you could do in the meantime that may also improve other abilities as well. I write this because I quit video games almost entirely a year ago. I played probably 500-700 hours of video games in 2015. I played occasionally simple games on my phone in 2016. The major downsi…

Competitive video games also make me better at rapid decision making under pressure, prediction, (clear) communication and teamwork. In the same way I could say that drawing and painting only makes you better at drawing and painting.

Drawing and painting help you look at things differently; it improves motor skills (probably most important for young and old, but has some value for everyone), etc.

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#23

Post by croon » Thu, Jan 19, 2017, 2:37 PM UTC

alexpetralia wrote: post #3

WA wrote: post #2

Having only read the abstract and key points: The question is if video games have a better positive impact on cognitive abilities than other things you could do in the meantime that may also improve other abilities as well. I write this because I quit video games almost entirely a year ago. I played probably 500-700 hours of video games in 2015. I played occasionally simple games on my phone in 2016. The major downsi…

Quitting games was probably the best thing that ever happened to me (without exaggeration) - my only regret is not having done it sooner.

* Was it because you were addicted?

* What games did you play?

* What was missing, what did you end up doing instead?

* Was the gaming you did social or not, challenging or not?

That you made the right choice for yourself is great, but without any context, no one else can understand why it was good for you. It is likely not a universal truth.

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#24

Post by ismail » Thu, Jan 19, 2017, 2:38 PM UTC

I wonder what the impact of pay to win type games?

Had an interesting discussion with my bro who is into gaming he says most of his peers are playing "pay to win" the games are only superficially based on skill and the only way to progress, compete and win is buying upgrades.

I stopped playing games seriously a while back so a bit out of the loop.

The games are rewarding $$$ over putting in the effort/time to learn. I'm curious about a few things:

What are the effects of these types of games?

Could it discourage effort, make people believe they can buy their way to skills without effort?

What are the impacts of constant gamification? The app stores are filled with toddler games heavily gamified. Are we creating a generation of people that will be purely extrinsically motivated?

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#25

Post by louprado » Thu, Jan 19, 2017, 3:02 PM UTC

Agentlien wrote: post #10

WA wrote: post #2

Having only read the abstract and key points: The question is if video games have a better positive impact on cognitive abilities than other things you could do in the meantime that may also improve other abilities as well. I write this because I quit video games almost entirely a year ago. I played probably 500-700 hours of video games in 2015. I played occasionally simple games on my phone in 2016. The major downsi…

If you cannot play games just for fun, then I definitely see how it can feel like a stressful affair and an unhealthy addiction. And if that's your relationship to games, then not playing them does sound like a very reasonable choice. On the other end of the spectrum, I myself see video games as my big passion and it's a large part of what I do to unwind and have fun. I would estimate that I typically play 10-20 hour…

I don't doubt your integrity and passion, but I couldn't resist mentioning that your comment parallels that of people who work in other industries that produce addictive products. Specifically I was reminded by a quote of an owner of a mid-size tobacco farm. For the record, I also did not doubt the farmer's integrity and passion. It's as if a non-addictive personality, or complete abstinence of the industry's product, is a prerequisite for employment.

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#26

Post by Agentlien » Thu, Jan 19, 2017, 3:10 PM UTC

6stringmerc wrote: post #21

TulliusCicero wrote: post #17

It's funny, because we'll talk all day long about how (physical) play is so important to a child's cognitive development, never considering that maybe mentally-focused play is also beneficial. The very fact that video games are so compelling/addictive has given them the reputation of being nonproductive, so we tend to assume that they must give little or no benefit to the individual player.

Games are quite passive in the grand scheme of things and do little to actually challenge cognition. Compared to other basic toys / learning devices, video games don't have compelling research because I don't think it'll work out. There's no 3 dimensional space to work through (Legos), no emotional play (dolls, action figures), visual imagination time (crayons, Play Doh)...on and on and on with better examples that d…

While I strongly agree about the necessity of physical play, I disagree that games in general lack the things you are listing.

3 dimensional space: There are plenty of puzzle games focused on challenging the player to understand how 3D spaces (or higher) are connected.

Emotional play: This is one of the main focuses of many RPG:s as well as interactive fiction.

Visual imagination: Many games have this at least as a component. I'd say any city building games, The Sims, Conway's Game of Life.

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#27

Post by rublev » Thu, Jan 19, 2017, 3:19 PM UTC

Agentlien wrote: post #10

WA wrote: post #2

Having only read the abstract and key points: The question is if video games have a better positive impact on cognitive abilities than other things you could do in the meantime that may also improve other abilities as well. I write this because I quit video games almost entirely a year ago. I played probably 500-700 hours of video games in 2015. I played occasionally simple games on my phone in 2016. The major downsi…

If you cannot play games just for fun, then I definitely see how it can feel like a stressful affair and an unhealthy addiction. And if that's your relationship to games, then not playing them does sound like a very reasonable choice. On the other end of the spectrum, I myself see video games as my big passion and it's a large part of what I do to unwind and have fun. I would estimate that I typically play 10-20 hour…

>If you cannot play games just for fun, then I definitely see how it can feel like a stressful affair and an unhealthy addiction.

The stress is in the losing.

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#28

Post by greenail » Thu, Jan 19, 2017, 3:19 PM UTC

It would be more interesting to compare playing video games to other pastimes such as golf, coding, reading, watching tv...

I'm surprised no one else noticed the conflict of interest disclaimer:

A. R. Seitz is a founder and stakeholder in Carrot Neurotechnology, a company that sells a vision brain game called ULTIMEYES. Carrot, and Seitz as an individual, are involved in a case with the FTC regarding advertising claims that Carrot made based upon Seitz’s University based research.

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#29

Post by rdiddly » Thu, Jan 19, 2017, 3:22 PM UTC

Using Visual Studio is kind of like a simple video game. Make the red underlined errors go away! Pew! Pew! Select the right intellisense on the fly to complete the puzzle! Deploy the right code snippet for the situation!

Pretty sure it's enhancing my cognitive abilities too.

Re: The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (2015) [pdf]

#30

Post by openfuture » Thu, Jan 19, 2017, 3:29 PM UTC

I was a severe world of warcraft addict and I'm pretty sure it had a permanent effect on my cognition, whether that effect was 'bad' is an open question but there's no doubt in my mind that video games have an enormous effect on your way of thinking.