Online games are a fun and engaging way to improve cognitive skills. By challenging memory and responding quickly, they help players build problem-solving abilities. Researchers have found that gamers perform better on time based Wonderlic tests and other cognitive ability tests such as mathematical intelligence, deductive reasoning, processing speed and analogy.
1. They Enhance Concentration
A game that requires skill and effort increases the cognitive load on your brain, forcing you to focus. This concentration improves your ability to retain and process information over short periods of time. A study found that gamers had better performance on a test of visual selective attention compared to non-gamers. The researchers say this improvement may be due to the practice of focusing on relevant visual information while suppressing irrelevant stimuli.
Other studies have linked video games to improved short-term memory. However, these findings must be tempered with the realization that different types of games have varying effects on the brain. For example, a military-style shooter slot gacor hari ini game is likely to have more of an impact on the brain than a traditional puzzle game like Tetris.
2. They Improve Decision-Making
Playing video games is often regarded as an activity that distracts and wastes time, but a new study suggests that these popular pastimes could help us make better decisions in real life. Researchers from Georgia State University studied the response times and brain activity of gamers and non-gamers during a decision-making task. The participants were shown a series of dots moving on the screen and asked to press either the left or right button on a controller with their thumbs in order to indicate which direction the dots should move. Gamers were faster and more accurate than non-gamers in responding to this test, while fMRI scans showed that action-trained gamers have higher processing speed in three brain regions.
The scientists who conducted this experiment based their findings on the concept of neuroplasticity, which states that the brain can create and strengthen neural pathways when they are used over a long period of time. However, they stress that only cognitive functions that are used while gaming improve with gameplay.
3. They Improve Attention
Researchers have found that people who play video games that require fast reaction times perform better on tests of their visual attention. For example, kids who played fast-paced shooter video games improved at noticing and locating objects in their field of view. This type of improvement is likely a result of the brain-training effects of gameplay, whereby the gamer creates new neural pathways in order to master the game’s challenges. This is also known as neuroplasticity.
One study compared expert players (those who rank in the top 0.2% of League of Legends) with non-expert gamers. The experts were less prone to the “blink effect” and able to pay close attention to multiple targets on the screen at once. This type of multitasking is an important cognitive skill.
4. They Improve Memory
Researchers have found that playing video games can improve people’s ability to use working memory, which is used for keeping instructions in mind for the duration of a task. They also improved the ability to ignore distractions and perform tasks faster. The cognitive skills that video games develop depend on the game type. For instance, spatial navigation and reasoning are enhanced by action video games. A popular puzzle game like TETRIS improves spatial reasoning by requiring players to plan and build structures based on the blocks’ orientations. It also enlarges the right hippocampus, a region associated with memory formation.
Other games, such as chess, improve visual short-term memory and counting. And action real-time strategy video games improve reaction time and multitasking. However, these results are specific to the games that are played and do not transfer to unrelated areas of cognitive function.
5. They Improve Problem-Solving
Video games can improve problem-solving by requiring players to find creative solutions to challenges. These skills can be transferred to real-life problem-solving scenarios, making online gaming a great way to practice and hone your problem-solving abilities. Skill-based online games like Portal 2 and CogniFit have been shown to improve cognitive skill development. These types of games have been found to improve cognitive flexibility – the ability to multitask, shift thinking and hold complex information in memory over short periods of time.
In addition, playing video games can help improve a player’s ability to think in three dimensions. This can be beneficial to students who are pursuing STEM-related careers. Playing games that require spatial navigation also helps to improve overall school grades and performance. These benefits challenge the stereotype that gamers are socially isolated and impulsive.
Conclusion
For those who love to play board games, chess and more, there are plenty of virtual options. Some are free and others require a subscription. Online gaming is a popular pastime that can improve cognitive skills and foster social connections. It can also be a great way to relieve stress.
