What is the impact of video games on behavior?
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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 well1 6. 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 studies1 6.
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 reported2. These findings underscore the need for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors among gamers, especially given the widespread accessibility of eSports2.
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 behavior3 4 7 8 10. 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 it7.
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 risks5. 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 enjoyment9. 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.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Meta-Analysis of Action Video Game Impact on Perceptual, Attentional, and Cognitive Skills
Action video game play positively impacts top-down attention, spatial cognition, and perception, with potential for positive effects on other cognitive domains.
Meta-Analysis
Highly CitedThe impact of eSports and online video gaming on lifestyle behaviours in youth: A systematic review
ESports and online video gaming are associated with poor lifestyle outcomes, such as decreased physical activity, increased BMI, and sedentary behavior, and poor nutrition and sleep quality.
Systematic ReviewViolent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in eastern and western countries: a meta-analytic review.
Exposure to violent video games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and affect, and decreased empathy and prosocial behavior in both Eastern and Western countries.
Meta-AnalysisHighly CitedEffects of Violent Video Games on Aggressive Behavior, Aggressive Cognition, Aggressive Affect, Physiological Arousal, and Prosocial Behavior: A Meta-Analytic Review of the Scientific Literature
Playing violent video games increases aggressive behavior in children and young adults, increases physiological arousal, and decreases prosocial behavior.
Meta-AnalysisHighly CitedThe Association Between Video Gaming and Psychological Functioning
Problematic video gaming is negatively correlated with psychological symptoms, affectivity, coping, and self-esteem, with the most notable effects observed for distraction-motivated and action game players.
Observational StudyHighly Cited"Meta-analysis of action video game impact on perceptual, attentional, and cognitive skills": Correction to Bediou et al. (2018).
Action video game play positively impacts top-down attention and spatial cognition, with encouraging signs for perception, but larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Meta-AnalysisVideo Game Violence and Interactivity: Effect or Equivalence?
Violent video game play is equivalent to non-violent play, with player skill affecting the interaction between violent content and aggressive behavior.
Meta-AnalysisEffects of violent video games on players' and observers' aggressive cognitions and aggressive behaviors.
Actively playing violent video games leads to increased aggressive cognitions and behaviors, with boys showing more aggressive cognitions and behaviors than girls.
RCTThe Fortnite social paradox: The effects of violent-cooperative multi-player video games on children's basic psychological needs and prosocial behavior
Playing violent video games cooperatively leads to increased prosocial behavior in children, with psychological needs satisfaction acting as a mediator.
RCTEffects of Violent Video Games on Aggressive Cognition and Aggressive Behavior
Playing violent video games increases aggressive cognition and behavior in children, with a larger effect on boys than for girls.
Non-RCT
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