The Psychological Impact of Video Games: Balancing Benefits and Risks
Video games have long been a source of entertainment and cognitive challenge for millions around the world. However, a recent study by Canadian scientists sheds light on the complex psychological impact of video games, particularly those involving human-computer interactions such as action first-person shooter games. This article explores how these games affect the brain and the potential risks associated with prolonged play.
From Benefits to Potential Risks
For over a decade, researchers have highlighted the cognitive benefits of playing video games. These include enhanced visual attention, motor control, and short-term memory (West Bohbot, 2015). However, a new Canadian study reported in Molecular Psychiatry suggests that these benefits may come at a cost. The study, conducted by Dr. Véronique Bohbot and Dr. Greg West, reveals that the way action first-person shooter video game players use their brains to navigate can change the impact the games have on their nervous system.
These findings build upon previous research by the same team, which confirmed that such cognitive benefits do not come without potential risks. The study involved 64 participants aged between 18 and 30 who were recruited to play 90 hours of various video games, including action first-person shooters like Call of Duty, Kill-zone, Medal of Honor, and Borderlands 2, and 3D-platform games such as Super Mario 64. None of the participants had prior experience with these games.
Different Games, Different Brain Impacts
The key takeaway from the study is that the type of video game played can significantly affect the brain. The researchers found that the impact on the brain's spatial memory system varies depending on the navigation strategy used and the specific genre of the game. Interestingly, playing 3D-platform games for 90 hours was shown to increase grey matter in the hippocampal memory system for both types of players.
Neuroimaging Studies and Future Research
The neuroimaging studies conducted as part of this research confirm earlier findings published by Dr. West and Dr. Bohbot in 2015. These studies highlight the importance of understanding the long-term consequences of playing video games. Specifically, the study notes that lower amounts of grey matter in the hippocampus are associated with increased risks of neuropsychiatric illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia, PTSD, and Alzheimer's disease (Bohbot West, 2015).
However, the causal link between human-computer interactions, such as playing action games, and the development of these illnesses is not yet fully understood. Further long-term studies are necessary to determine whether and how human-computer interactions can lead to such outcomes.
Conclusion
The study by Dr. Véronique Bohbot and Dr. Greg West underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the psychological impact of video games. While certain games may offer cognitive benefits, the potential risks should not be ignored. Players and researchers alike should be attentive to the type of games they play and the impact on the brain's spatial memory system. As video games continue to evolve and become even more immersive, ongoing research is crucial to ensure the safe and beneficial use of these technologies.
References:
Bohbot, V. D., West, G. L. (2015). Neurocognitive profile of virtual maze navigation in first-person shooter video game players. BJPsych Bulletin, 39(3), 118-124.
West, G. L., Bohbot, V. D. (2015). Video games and spatial navigation: the impact of regular exposure to action video games on the structure and function of the hippocampus. Molecular Psychiatry, 20(1), 31-41.