A University of Rochester study recently found that video games actually “sharpen the mind.” The study found young adults who regularly play video games have improved visual skills compared to those who do not play video games. Avid gamers observe more objects in their visual field quicker than a person who avoids video games, the study said. The research also suggested that action game playing may be useful in rehabilitating visually impaired patients or training military personnel for combat.
The researchers said visually impaired patients may be able to bring the brain’s visual attentiveness back through playing video games.
While most students on campus do not use video games to sharpen their minds, they do play to take a break from class and stress. Edward Ward, a recent University political science graduate, said he plays video games to just get away from the college norm. “I play video games to get rid of the boredom of television, to unwind after doing homework or just to hang out with my friends,” Ward said.
Ward said as a student he played video games at least once a day for about an hour and thinks he will play even more now that he is out of school.
Ward said while he does not believe video games sharpen his mind, he thinks he has developed a more creative mind and better hand to eye coordination.
As part of the study, researchers found training individuals on the military game “Medal of Honor” for 10 hours improved their visual attention capacity. The study said the subjects were able to process information on the screen quicker than before the training.
University Army ROTC Lt. Col. Gregory Johnson said he thinks video games sharpen the mind.
He also said military personnel who engage in video games have certain advantages in combat situations. Johnson said soldiers who play video games learn certain military tactics quicker and react better in high speed military training simulations.
University Army ROTC Capt. Michael Moran said while he sees no tactical differences between video game and non-video game players, he does see a sense of laziness among those who play video games in the military.
Moran said video games take time away from military training and contributes to video game addicts becoming “couch potatoes.”
Ward said video game players often are labeled with these misconceptions. “I believe that most people see video gamers as glasses wearing, no ‘real’ sport playing, lazy slackers,” Ward said. “Personally I really don’t care because it’s not true. Video games aren’t for being lazy, but are just another form of entertainment.”