How Video Games Affect the Brain

Video games affect the way the human brain functions, which further affects the way you think. Researchers have found, over the years, that video game exposure has a direct effect on attitudes and behaviors. Some studies show that video games have a positive effect on brain activity, while other studies show that it results in aggressive behavior.

One of the most common misconceptions about video games is that violent games promote violent behavior and aggression in those who are exposed to it. Although studies have shown that this is not the case, they have also shown that these violent games do have an effect on the activity within the brain that affects aggressive feelings. Some studies question whether violent games create aggressive children, or if they simply attract aggressive children.

Studies have been conducted that showed a decrease in school shootings when there was heightened activity with violent video games. This research indicates that the video games do not promote violent behavior. The higher the popularity in these violent and aggressive games, the lower the occurrence of violence in schools.

In other aspects of the brain, studies have shown that playing video games decreases a person’s reaction time, as well as improves the reflexes. A study that was performed in 2005 showed that surgeons who played video games made fewer mistakes when performing operations. There are a variety of video game types that have different affects on the brains and a way a person reacts to situations. Strategy-based games have been showed to improve logic and memory while spatial perception and vision are improved through action-based games.