Power Up Your Brain: How Video Games Can Boost Your Cognitive Skills

Let go of the stereotype of the mindless gamer slumped in front of a screen. It turns out that video games can actually be a surprising weapon in your cognitive arsenal! Research is increasingly showing that strategically crafted gaming sessions can enhance a variety of brain functions, making you sharper, quicker, and more adaptable. Let's explore the fascinating world of video games and cognitive development.

Leveling Up Your Brainpower

Action video games, in particular, have been shown to positively impact several key cognitive areas (Altarelli, Green, & Bavelier,  2020). Here's a breakdown of the power-ups you can unlock:

• Enhanced Attention and Focus: Fast-paced games with multiple stimuli on-screen train your brain to filter out distractions and focus on the critical task. Imagine dodging enemy fire while maneuvering through a maze – that's some serious attention training! (Liu,  Liao,  & Dou, 2019).

• Sharpened Visual Processing: Many games require lightning-fast reactions to visual cues. Studies suggest that playing these games can improve your ability to detect subtle changes in your environment, making you more visually perceptive Howard, Wilding,& Guest, 2017).  But some studies show that recreational gaming may not have a significant long-term impact (Silva et al. 2022)

• Boosted Decision-Making Skills: Real-time strategy games often present complex scenarios where you need to make quick choices under pressure. Regularly engaging with these games can hone your decision-making abilities and make you a more strategic thinker [Reynaldo, Christian, Hosea, & Gunawan, 2021). 

• Improved Memory, Especially Working Memory: Working memory is like your brain's temporary storage space, crucial for holding information in mind while actively using it. Games that require you to juggle multiple tasks and remember complex sequences can strengthen your working memory muscles (Palaus, Marron, Viejo-Sobera, & Redolar-Ripoll, 2017; Anguera,  Boccanfuso, Rueda, & Gazzaley, 2013).

The Science Behind the Fun

The positive impact of video games on cognitive function can be attributed to neuroplasticity – the brain's remarkable ability to adapt and change throughout life. Gaming stimulates the growth of new neural connections and strengthens existing pathways, leading to enhanced cognitive performance (Brilliant Nouchi, & Kawashima, 2019; George, George, & Baskar, 2023)

Beyond the Hype: It's All About the Game Design

It's important to note that not all video games are created equal. Games with rich, immersive worlds, clear goals, and challenging but achievable tasks will most likely yield cognitive benefits. So ditch the mindless, repetitive games and seek out those that truly test your skills and keep you engaged. (Salmond, 2021). 

Unleashing the Potential

The potential applications of video games for cognitive development are vast. Imagine educational games that teach and actively improve a student's ability to learn and retain information. Therapeutic games could help individuals with cognitive decline or attention disorders. The future of video games goes beyond entertainment; it's about harnessing their power to unlock the full potential of the human brain.

Ready to power up your brain? Grab your controller and get ready to play—but remember to choose your games wisely!

References:

Altarelli, I., Green, C. S., & Bavelier, D. (2020). Action video games: From effects on cognition and the brain to potential educational applications. In M. S. C. Thomas, D. Mareschal, & I. Dumontheil (Eds.), Educational neuroscience: Development across the life span (pp. 273–297). Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003016830-16

Anguera, J. A., Boccanfuso, J., Rueda, M. R., & Gazzaley, A. (2013). Video game training enhances cognitive control in older adults. Nature, 501(7468), 321-324. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24005416/

Boot, W. R., Kramer, A. F., Simons, D. J., Fabiani, M., & Gratton, G. (2008). The effects of video game playing on attention, memory, and executive control. Acta psychologica, 129(3), 387-398.

Brilliant T, D., Nouchi, R., & Kawashima, R. (2019). Does video gaming have impacts on the brain: Evidence from a systematic review. Brain sciences, 9(10), 251.

George, A. S., George, A. H., & Baskar, T. (2023). Neuro-Gaming: How Video Games Shape the Brain's Cognitive Landscape. Partners Universal International Research Journal, 2(4), 128-137.

Howard, C. J., Wilding, R., & Guest, D. (2017). Light video gameplay is associated with enhanced visual processing of rapid serial visual presentation targets. Perception, 46(2), 161-177.

Liu, X., Liao, M., & Dou, D. (2019). Video game playing enhances young children’s inhibitory control. In HCI in Games: First International Conference, HCI-Games 2019, Held as Part of the 21st HCI International Conference, HCII 2019, Orlando, FL, USA, July 26–31, 2019, Proceedings 21 (pp. 141-153). Springer International Publishing.

Palaus, M., Marron, E. M., Viejo-Sobera, R., & Redolar-Ripoll, D. (2017). Neural basis of video gaming: A systematic review. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 11, 248.

Reynaldo, C., Christian, R., Hosea, H., & Gunawan, A. A. (2021). Using video games to improve capabilities in decision making and cognitive skill: a literature review. Procedia Computer Science, 179, 211-221.

Salmond, M. (2021). Video Game Level Design: How to Create Video Games with Emotion, Interaction, and Engagement. Bloomsbury Academic.

Silva, G. M., Sales, H. F., Fernandes, T. P., Gomes, M. E., Rodrigues, S. J., Bonifacio, T. A., ... & Santos, N. A. (2022). Relationship between long-term recreational video gaming and visual processing. Entertainment Computing, 43, 100501.