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Our mission is to inform internet users about the common misconceptions in the area of technology through the lens of Psychology. Our team has selected 3 particular myths to assess and correct on this platform.
Our mission is to inform internet users about the common misconceptions in the area of technology through the lens of Psychology. Our team has selected 3 particular myths to assess and correct on this platform.
THE MYTHS
THE MYTHS
"There are no positive benefits from playing video games, other than the fact that they are fun"
"There are no positive benefits from playing video games, other than the fact that they are fun"
"Technology use can affect our attention and memory"
"Technology use can affect our attention and memory"
"brain training programs can help us become better students"
"brain training programs can help us become better students"
MYTH #1... No Positive Effects of Video Games
MYTH #1... No Positive Effects of Video Games
The Kernel of Truth...
The Kernel of Truth...
Violent video games have been shown to correlate with aggressive behavior in children, however, the connection to violent behavior has been more difficult to show through extensive studies on the matter
Violent video games have been shown to correlate with aggressive behavior in children, however, the connection to violent behavior has been more difficult to show through extensive studies on the matter
The Facts...
The Facts...
Though video games are fun to play, that does not necessarily mean they're addictive. People who play video games for extended periods of time generally do so of their own accord. They also have many mental health benefits that science has recently acknowledged in light of the Covid-19 pandemic which made a lot of people stay inside and isolate. Those who spent a chunk of that time playing video games benefit from being able to engage in critical thinking and problem solving on video games while unable to leave their quarantine.
Though video games are fun to play, that does not necessarily mean they're addictive. People who play video games for extended periods of time generally do so of their own accord. They also have many mental health benefits that science has recently acknowledged in light of the Covid-19 pandemic which made a lot of people stay inside and isolate. Those who spent a chunk of that time playing video games benefit from being able to engage in critical thinking and problem solving on video games while unable to leave their quarantine.
Video games have been found to help in the following areas
Video games have been found to help in the following areas
-Improve creativity in young children
-Improve creativity in young children
-Help manage anxiety
-Help manage anxiety
-Helps children develop social skills
-Helps children develop social skills
-Notable positive differences in intellectual capacity
-Notable positive differences in intellectual capacity
-Critical thinking, Problem-solving, Teamwork, and Leadership
-Critical thinking, Problem-solving, Teamwork, and Leadership
-Mood regulation
-Mood regulation
-Coordination
-Coordination
A few reputable sources, and their findings on the videogame-mental health subject...
A few reputable sources, and their findings on the videogame-mental health subject...
APA.org 2013
The Polls
The Polls
The data shows that from our sample size of 29 individuals, over 75% believe that video games have some sort of positive benefits.
Made by Aaron Long
Made by Aaron Long
Made by Aaron Long
Made by Aaron Long
The polls show that typically, in a small sample the great majority of individuals do not believe that video games have no positive benefits for their users. However, a fourth of the population (according to the data) still believes that games cannot be an effective stimulus for the brain promoting mental acuity and health.
The polls show that typically, in a small sample the great majority of individuals do not believe that video games have no positive benefits for their users. However, a fourth of the population (according to the data) still believes that games cannot be an effective stimulus for the brain promoting mental acuity and health.
MYTH #2... Technology Use is Changing our Brains
MYTH #2... Technology Use is Changing our Brains
The Kernel of Truth...
The Kernel of Truth...
Though technology use is not necessarily changing the chemistry or physical state of the brain, it does have an effect on the use of different systems of the brain that can be affected by prolonged inactivity. High technology use can impact working memory, contribute to sleep disorders, and contribute to anxiety and depressive disorders
Though technology use is not necessarily changing the chemistry or physical state of the brain, it does have an effect on the use of different systems of the brain that can be affected by prolonged inactivity. High technology use can impact working memory, contribute to sleep disorders, and contribute to anxiety and depressive disorders
The Facts...
The Facts...
Technology is a modern fact of life in the 21st century. In our personal lives, in our education, and ultimately and most importantly in our professional lives and it is unavoidable as the world moves in the direction of technological integration. The body and mind can suffer from mental illnesses from extensive use of technology however when used in moderation, it does so much more good for people than it does harm. The best way to handle technology in a safe and responsible way is simply to understand how it can affect you, and how to control your technology to mitigate the aforementioned negative effects from prolonged use. Some effective risk mitigation techniques are as follows...
Technology is a modern fact of life in the 21st century. In our personal lives, in our education, and ultimately and most importantly in our professional lives and it is unavoidable as the world moves in the direction of technological integration. The body and mind can suffer from mental illnesses from extensive use of technology however when used in moderation, it does so much more good for people than it does harm. The best way to handle technology in a safe and responsible way is simply to understand how it can affect you, and how to control your technology to mitigate the aforementioned negative effects from prolonged use. Some effective risk mitigation techniques are as follows...
-Turn the screen off when the device is not in use
-Turn the screen off when the device is not in use
-Use blue light mitigation features to decrease the strain on the eyes
-Use blue light mitigation features to decrease the strain on the eyes
-Try to abstain from using technology an hour before going to bed
-Try to abstain from using technology an hour before going to bed
-Turn off notifications and other distracting features of your devices
-Turn off notifications and other distracting features of your devices
-Having certain locations or activities where technology is not used
-Having certain locations or activities where technology is not used
-Find at least 30 minutes a day to exercise and take care of your body
-Find at least 30 minutes a day to exercise and take care of your body
-Ensure that children are spending more time playing and interacting with the world than they are spending with technology.
-Ensure that children are spending more time playing and interacting with the world than they are spending with technology.
A few reputable sources,
A few reputable sources,
The Polls
The Polls
The data shows that there is a 99% consensus among 81 participants agreeing that technology is fundamentally changing the brain. Though the facts dictate that this is not the case, technology can almost act as an extension of the brain in that it can be extremely valuable in a plethora of different ways from calculations, simulations, reading and writing, entertainment, and so much more.
Made by Aaron Long
Made by Aaron Long
Made by Aaron Long
Made by Aaron Long
MYTH #3... Brain Training Programs will Help You Become Better Students
MYTH #3... Brain Training Programs will Help You Become Better Students
MEME (Server no longer accessible)
MEME (Server no longer accessible)
The Kernel of Truth...
The Kernel of Truth...
This is a very complicated subject matter as the idea of BT or Brain Training is new and the implementation and execution of these BT programs are experimental and unfounded in hard science. There are studies showing that adults can benefit from brain training programs. There are fewer studies that successfully show children seeing results, however, there are studies of children with different mental disorders such as ADHD and Multiple Sclerosis seeing positive results with the use of BT programs.
This is a very complicated subject matter as the idea of BT or Brain Training is new and the implementation and execution of these BT programs are experimental and unfounded in hard science. There are studies showing that adults can benefit from brain training programs. There are fewer studies that successfully show children seeing results, however, there are studies of children with different mental disorders such as ADHD and Multiple Sclerosis seeing positive results with the use of BT programs.
The Facts...
The Facts...
The consensus as of now among scientists is that there is not sufficient evidence for BT programs to say that they are an effective mental workout routine. They are inconsistent, they are motivated by profits, and most of all science goes both ways and changes from study to study. The studies that did show mental growth showed that the participants got better at the games themselves, but not any other sorts of unrelated tasks, or even tasks that are similar in nature and design. Therefore, while BT programs appear to be inconclusive in terms of their effectiveness in promoting mental growth and neural plasticity, it certainly would not hurt to be skeptical of such products.
The consensus as of now among scientists is that there is not sufficient evidence for BT programs to say that they are an effective mental workout routine. They are inconsistent, they are motivated by profits, and most of all science goes both ways and changes from study to study. The studies that did show mental growth showed that the participants got better at the games themselves, but not any other sorts of unrelated tasks, or even tasks that are similar in nature and design. Therefore, while BT programs appear to be inconclusive in terms of their effectiveness in promoting mental growth and neural plasticity, it certainly would not hurt to be skeptical of such products.
A few reputable sources,
A few reputable sources,
The Polls
The Polls
The data shows that 65% of our sample believes BT programs will have a positive effect on their education. This statistic is important to note because this means that there are a lot of potential customers who could be using these programs thinking it is aiding them in their schooling. This confusion could lead to lots of frustrated students if their results do not match up with their goals.
Made by Aaron Long
Made by Aaron Long
Made by Aaron Long
Made by Aaron Long
Creators of this Site
Creators of this Site
Aaron Long
Aaron Long
I am a junior here at Pacific University. I live here in Forest Grove and have lived here for my entire life. I serve part time in the Army National Guard and work on the civilian side as a security guard for Cascade Enforcement Agency.
Gissel Andrade Salazar
Gissel Andrade Salazar
I'm a Senior here at Pacific University. I'm graduating with a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice, Law & Society and minor in Psychology.
Mara Murphy
Mara Murphy
Hi! I'm a sophomore from SLC, Utah. I play on our volleyball team. I am majoring in Psychology and minoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Julie Duvdevany
Julie Duvdevany
I'm a first year student at Pacific University from Beaverton, Oregon. I'm studying Psychology with a minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
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