What is the impact of video games on behavior?
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
The Impact of Video Games on Behavior
Cognitive Skills and Attention Enhancement through Action Video Games
Action video games have been shown to positively impact various cognitive skills. Research indicates that habitual action video game players exhibit enhanced top-down attention and spatial cognition, with some improvements in perception as well . These cognitive benefits are not uniform across all game genres, highlighting the unique impact of action video games. Long-term intervention studies also suggest that playing action video games can causally induce cognitive changes, although the effects are smaller compared to cross-sectional studies .
Negative Lifestyle Outcomes Associated with eSports and Online Gaming
Engagement in eSports and online video gaming has been linked to several negative lifestyle outcomes. Studies have found associations with decreased physical activity, increased body mass index (BMI), and sedentary behavior. Additionally, poor dietary habits, such as increased consumption of sweetened beverages, and sleep-related issues, including decreased sleep quality and duration, have been reported. These findings underscore the need for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors among gamers, especially given the widespread accessibility of eSports.
Aggression and Violent Video Games
The relationship between violent video games and aggressive behavior has been extensively studied. Meta-analyses reveal that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect. These games also lead to decreased empathy and prosocial behavior . Interestingly, the impact of violent content on aggression can be moderated by factors such as player skill and interactivity. When player skill matches the game's interactivity, violent content tends to increase aggression, whereas a mismatch can decrease it.
Psychological Functioning and Problematic Gaming
Problematic video gaming is negatively correlated with psychological functioning. Gamers who play excessively often exhibit psychological symptoms, affectivity issues, poor coping mechanisms, and low self-esteem. The reasons for playing and preferred game genres also influence psychological health, with distraction-motivated players and action game players showing notable risks. This highlights the importance of understanding the underlying motivations and preferences of gamers to address potential psychological health risks.
Prosocial Behavior and Cooperative Gaming
Not all video games have negative effects on behavior. Cooperative multiplayer games, even those with violent content, can enhance prosocial behavior. Studies show that playing violent games in a cooperative mode leads to more helping behaviors compared to playing in single-player mode. This effect is mediated by the satisfaction of psychological needs such as competence, relatedness, and enjoyment. Thus, the social context and psychological experience during gameplay can significantly influence prosocial outcomes.
Conclusion
The impact of video games on behavior is multifaceted, with both positive and negative outcomes. Action video games can enhance cognitive skills, while eSports and online gaming are associated with poor lifestyle habits. Violent video games increase aggression and decrease empathy, but cooperative gaming can foster prosocial behavior. Understanding these diverse effects is crucial for promoting healthy gaming habits and mitigating potential risks.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Meta-Analysis of Action Video Game Impact on Perceptual, Attentional, and Cognitive Skills
The impact of eSports and online video gaming on lifestyle behaviours in youth: A systematic review
Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in eastern and western countries: a meta-analytic review.
Effects of Violent Video Games on Aggressive Behavior, Aggressive Cognition, Aggressive Affect, Physiological Arousal, and Prosocial Behavior: A Meta-Analytic Review of the Scientific Literature
The Association Between Video Gaming and Psychological Functioning
"Meta-analysis of action video game impact on perceptual, attentional, and cognitive skills": Correction to Bediou et al. (2018).
Video Game Violence and Interactivity: Effect or Equivalence?
Effects of violent video games on players' and observers' aggressive cognitions and aggressive behaviors.
The Fortnite social paradox: The effects of violent-cooperative multi-player video games on children's basic psychological needs and prosocial behavior
Effects of Violent Video Games on Aggressive Cognition and Aggressive Behavior
Try another search
What is the Evaluation of blockchain in securing electronic health records?
social desirability bias
Social entrepreneurship
What are the ethics of social media algorithms shaping user content?
social media definition
What are the strategies for promoting ethical considerations in the design and deployment of emerging technologies?