Video Gaming and Our Brain

Video gaming and online gaming have become a favorite pastime for many people, young and old. According to the article Brains on video games, six experts explain the positive and negative sides of gaming and how it affects behavior (Bavelier et al., 2011). Although research is still being conducted the authors give us a good look into the topic.

Video gaming and online gaming have positive effects on the brain and behavior. Michael M. Merzenich (2011) states that gaming can help with focus, cognitive function, social skills and values. When playing intense games cognitive functions and visual skills are improving. It has been noted that your processing speed increases, memory, and coordination improve while playing video games All of these improvements help people with their every day process. Children become better students because they are able to focus better in school. Adults become better thinkers and are able to multitask better.

The negative effects on the brain and behavior can differ depending on how much time is spent playing the game. In a recent study, experience gamers and non experienced games were evaluated. “Although experienced video games were better at spatial navigation in computer-mediated tasks than non experienced