4 ms·

Genuinely curious, does playing video games really improve focus etc.? Is this anecdotal, or did you read some paper somewhere?

vntx 7y ago
Sorry, don’t have any specific papers for you, but if you google around you’ll find the general consensus is if you’re forced to focus on any mentally straining task for a prolonged period, it’ll generally help your mental abilities. If the game is challenging for you, it will likely help. Check out neuroscience books if you want to be deep in this stuff.
- KarlKemp 7y ago
  This is the "willpower" theory by Baumeister. There's a book of the same name. The theory is controversial. The effect likely isn't too big, or it would be harder to design experiments where it doesn't show up at all. But even assuming the theory is correct, playing video games wouldn't be considered beneficial, at least as long as you are enjoying it. This should be somewhat obvious: if you enjoy doing something you are obviously not training your capability to do something that you don't enjoy. The closest you can get to have license to indulge is that Baumeister would predict not playing video games (when you would like to do so) will deplete your willpower, and make it harder to resist other urges (such as not working) for that day. Over the longer term (several weeks) however, repeatedly resisting that urge to play would train your willpower.
swat535 7y ago
As a software engineer who also plays plenty of video games, I would say that it largely depends on the kind of game you play as well as HOW you play it. I find games that require lots of exploring, solving puzzles helps improve my focus. In most FPS games, this only works if you strategize your approach in gaming. E.g considering the next X moves ahead, scoping vantage points etc. Also, when I just need to clear my head, I personally find that there's nothing like games (besides exercise). Fun anecdote, when I met my SO, she was in incredibly into exercise and I was not. But I was very much into games. We ended up influencing each other. Now we game & exercise together.. I think overall it's a net positive if done in moderation.

vntx 7y ago

Sorry, don’t have any specific papers for you, but if you google around you’ll find the general consensus is if you’re forced to focus on any mentally straining task for a prolonged period, it’ll generally help your mental abilities. If the game is challenging for you, it will likely help. Check out neuroscience books if you want to be deep in this stuff.

KarlKemp 7y ago
This is the "willpower" theory by Baumeister. There's a book of the same name. The theory is controversial. The effect likely isn't too big, or it would be harder to design experiments where it doesn't show up at all. But even assuming the theory is correct, playing video games wouldn't be considered beneficial, at least as long as you are enjoying it. This should be somewhat obvious: if you enjoy doing something you are obviously not training your capability to do something that you don't enjoy. The closest you can get to have license to indulge is that Baumeister would predict not playing video games (when you would like to do so) will deplete your willpower, and make it harder to resist other urges (such as not working) for that day. Over the longer term (several weeks) however, repeatedly resisting that urge to play would train your willpower.

swat535 7y ago

As a software engineer who also plays plenty of video games, I would say that it largely depends on the kind of game you play as well as HOW you play it. I find games that require lots of exploring, solving puzzles helps improve my focus. In most FPS games, this only works if you strategize your approach in gaming. E.g considering the next X moves ahead, scoping vantage points etc. Also, when I just need to clear my head, I personally find that there's nothing like games (besides exercise). Fun anecdote, when I met my SO, she was in incredibly into exercise and I was not. But I was very much into games. We ended up influencing each other. Now we game & exercise together.. I think overall it's a net positive if done in moderation.