Can Video Games Make You Smarter?

Summary

The video script explores the positive effects of video games, challenging their negative stereotype. Studies suggest that gaming can enhance cognitive functions, increase attention to detail, and improve memory and strategic planning. It also touches on the potential of games as educational tools, aiding dyslexic children and even slowing cognitive decline in the elderly. The script highlights the benefits of moderate gaming, while emphasizing the importance of a balanced lifestyle.

Takeaways

• 🕹️ Video games can offer cognitive benefits, contrary to their common portrayal as a waste of time.
• 🥦 The script humorously compares the potential harms of overdoing video games to the toxicity of too much broccoli or water.
• 🧠 Studies have shown that playing video games like Super Mario 64 can increase grey matter in areas linked to memory and strategic planning.
• 🎯 Action games are found to enhance attention to detail, which can help with tasks requiring quick discernment of information.
• 📚 Video games have educational potential and can be used as teaching tools, even aiding children with dyslexia to read better.
• 👀 Research indicates that video games can improve eyesight, particularly in perceiving fine details and differentiating shades of grey.
• 👵👴 For the elderly, certain brain games can slow cognitive decline, with some studies suggesting a delay in brain aging by up to seven years.
• 🤓 The ability to track multiple objects is enhanced in those who regularly play action games, which can be an average increase from 3-4 to 6-7 objects.
• 💉 There's a parallel between video games and precision surgeries that involve cameras and remote tools, with gamers showing fewer errors and faster operation times.
• 🌐 The script encourages a balanced life, suggesting that while video games have benefits, they should be enjoyed in moderation alongside other life activities.
• 🗣️ The video creators invite viewers to engage by asking questions and following them on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

Q & A

What is the common negative perception of video games mentioned in the script?

The script mentions that video games are often portrayed as violent, lazy, and a waste of time by some.

Are there any potential positive cognitive effects of playing video games as suggested by the script?

Yes, the script suggests that many studies have shown increases in cognitive function after playing video games, including improvements in memory, strategic planning, and fine motor skills.

What was the duration and method of the study involving Super Mario 64 mentioned in the script?

The study mentioned had participants play Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes a day over a period of 2 months.

How can video games potentially be used as a therapy for mental disorders according to the script?

The script indicates that because video games can increase grey matter in brain areas associated with memory and strategic planning, they could be used as a therapy for mental disorders that cause these brain regions to shrink.

What effect do action video games have on an individual's attention to detail as per the script?

The script suggests that action games can increase attention to detail, making individuals more efficient in brain regions associated with attention.

Can video games be educational and how do they benefit dyslexic children as mentioned in the script?

The script states that video games can be educational and have been found to help dyslexic children read faster and more accurately by improving their attention skills.

What improvements in vision have been linked to playing video games according to the script?

The script mentions that playing video games can improve eyesight, allowing players to see smaller details more clearly and differentiate levels of grey more easily.

How can specially designed brain teasing video games impact the aging process of the brain as per the script?

The script states that these games can slow the aging process of the brain by up to seven years because they are cognitively complex and require mental energy.

What is the comparison made in the script between the ability to track objects in an average person versus a practiced action gamer?

The script indicates that while an average person can track about 3-4 objects, a practiced action gamer can track around 6-7 objects.

How do video games potentially benefit young doctors performing surgeries as mentioned in the script?

The script suggests that young doctors with previous exposure to video games show fewer errors and faster completion in surgeries that have parallels to video games, such as those involving cameras and remote-controlled tools.

What is the final advice given in the script regarding the balance between playing video games and leading a diverse life?

The script advises to enjoy video games in moderation and to keep life diverse, suggesting that this balance is key to winning at the 'game of life'.

Outlines

00:00

🕹️ The Cognitive Benefits of Video Games

This paragraph discusses the potential positive effects of video games on cognitive function. Contrary to the common belief that they are a waste of time, studies have shown that playing video games can lead to increased grey matter in areas of the brain linked to memory, strategic planning, and fine motor skills. The example of participants playing Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes a day over two months is highlighted, demonstrating improvements in cognitive abilities. The paragraph also suggests the possibility of using video games as a therapeutic tool for mental disorders affecting these brain regions.

🎮 Enhancing Attention and Perception with Action Games

The second paragraph emphasizes how action video games can improve attention to detail and visual perception. It describes an interactive exercise where viewers are challenged to identify the color of words that conflict with their meaning, illustrating how gamers can process such tasks more efficiently. The benefits extend to individuals with dyslexia, where regular gaming has been linked to faster and more accurate reading. Additionally, improvements in eyesight, particularly in perceiving fine differences in contrast, are noted, which can be crucial as people age.

📚 Educational and Therapeutic Applications of Video Games

This paragraph explores the educational potential of video games and their use as teaching tools for people of all ages. It mentions a study where dyslexic children who played video games showed improvements in reading skills, attributing this to enhanced attention. The paragraph also touches on the positive impact of gaming on eyesight and the potential for specially designed games to slow cognitive decline in the elderly, suggesting that such games can be a valuable addition to cognitive health regimens.

👨‍⚕️ Surgical Precision and the Impact of Gaming on Medical Professionals

The final paragraph of the script draws a parallel between video games and modern surgical techniques that involve cameras and remote-controlled tools. It suggests that young doctors with prior experience in gaming exhibit fewer errors and complete surgeries more quickly. This implies that the skills developed through gaming, such as hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness, can have practical applications in the medical field.

Keywords

💡Cognitive Function

Cognitive function refers to the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. In the video, it is mentioned that playing video games can lead to an increase in cognitive function, as studies have shown improvements in areas of the brain associated with memory, strategic planning, and fine motor skills, after playing Super Mario 64.

💡Grey Matter

Grey matter is the darker, neuron-rich part of the brain involved in processing information and controlling functions like muscle activity, sensation, and thought. The video script highlights a study where participants showed an increase in grey matter in areas related to memory and strategic planning after playing video games, suggesting a potential for games to have a positive impact on brain health.

💡Action Games

Action games are a genre of video games that require quick reactions, hand-eye coordination, and strategic thinking. The script discusses how action games can increase attention to detail and efficiency in brain regions associated with attention, as demonstrated by the ability to quickly identify the color of words despite the interference of the word's meaning.

💡Attention to Detail

Attention to detail is the ability to focus on and accurately perceive the smallest elements within a larger context. The video emphasizes that action game players can solve attention-based tasks more quickly due to increased efficiency in brain areas responsible for attention, as illustrated by the color-word conflict task in the script.

💡Educational Games

Educational games are designed to teach players specific knowledge or skills while maintaining an element of entertainment. The script mentions that there are games used as effective teaching tools for all ages, and they can even help children with dyslexia to read more effectively by improving attention skills.

💡Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects a person's ability to read, often causing difficulty with understanding written language. The video script refers to a study where dyslexic children who played video games showed improvements in reading speed and accuracy, linking this to enhanced attention skills.

💡Eyesight

Eyesight refers to the ability to see clearly and is often measured by visual acuity. The script discusses how playing video games can improve eyesight, allowing players to perceive smaller details and differentiate levels of grey better, which is particularly beneficial as it is one of the first things to diminish with age.

💡Aging Process of the Brain

The aging process of the brain refers to the natural decline in cognitive abilities that occurs with age. The video script suggests that specially designed brain teasing video games can slow this aging process by up to seven years, as they are cognitively complex and require mental energy.

💡Object Tracking

Object tracking is the ability to follow and keep track of multiple moving objects simultaneously. The script demonstrates this concept with an interactive example, showing that the average person can track about 3-4 objects, while a practiced action gamer can track around 6-7, indicating enhanced visual tracking abilities from gaming.

💡Remote-Controlled Surgeries

Remote-controlled surgeries involve the use of cameras and remote-controlled tools to perform surgical procedures. The video script draws a parallel between these surgeries and video games, noting that young doctors with prior video game experience show fewer errors and faster completion times in such procedures.

💡Moderation

Moderation is the practice of avoiding excess and maintaining a balance in activities or behaviors. The video concludes with the message that while video games can have positive effects, they should be enjoyed in moderation to ensure a diverse and balanced lifestyle, which is key to 'winning at the game of life'.

Highlights

Video games are often perceived negatively as violent, lazy, and a waste of time.

High doses of even healthy substances like broccoli can be toxic, implying moderation is key.

Excessive video gaming without balance can lead to risks outweighing benefits.

Studies show cognitive function improvements after playing video games.

Playing Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes daily over 2 months increased grey matter in memory and strategic planning areas.

Video games could be used as therapy for mental disorders affecting brain regions that shrink.

Action games enhance attention to detail and improve problem-solving efficiency.

Video games can be educational and used as effective teaching tools.

Dyslexic children who play video games may read faster and more accurately.

Gaming can improve eyesight, especially in perceiving fine differences in contrast.

Action gamers are better at tracking multiple objects simultaneously.

Specially designed video games can slow brain aging by up to seven years.

Young doctors with video game experience make fewer errors in surgeries.

A balanced life with video games can contribute to winning at the 'game of life'.

Engage with the community by asking questions and following social media for updates.

Transcripts

Video games provide a fun escape from reality; though, they're often portrayed as violent,

lazy and a waste of time by some. The debate has raged on for years - So are there any

positive effects? Can video games actually make you smarter?

Video games provide a fun escape from reality; though, they're often portrayed as violent,

broccoli. Seriously, extremely high doses broccoli can actually be toxic. Heck even

water toxicity exist. So if you binge and do nothing but play video games, the risks

probably outweigh any benefits. In fact, we have an entire video devoted to what would

happen if you stopped going outside, and the negative effects of sitting - link in the

description!

Having said that, many studies have actually shown increases in cognitive function after

playing video games. One study in particular had participants play Super Mario 64 for 30

minutes a day over 2 months. Afterwards, the brains of these participants saw an increase

of grey matter in areas associated with memory, strategic planning, and fine motor skills

of the hands, compared to those who had not played. These are particularly encouraging

results for mental disorders which cause these brain regions to shrink; using video games

as a therapy.

Surprisingly, action games can also increase attention to detail in individuals. Take a

look at the following words on screen, and yell out what colour the word is as fast as

you can! So: green, blue, orange. Ok, now try a bit faster without me. As we continue,

it becomes more difficult because there is a conflict between the word itself and its

colour. Chances are, if you play more than 5-10 hours of action games a week, you're

able to solve these problems much more quickly. This is because your brain is actually more

efficient in the regions associated with attention.

Of course, video games can also be incredibly educational! And while you may not be playing

some of your favourite games for this purpose, there are certainly many games that are used

as effective teaching tools for both young and old.

They may even help kids who suffer from dyslexia read more effectively. In a small study, dyslexic

children who played regular video games ended up reading faster and more accurately - once

again relating to improved attention skills. Meanwhile, other studies have found improvements

in eyesight. Not only can they see smaller details more clearly, like tiny writing, but

they have an easier time differentiating levels of grey. Very practiced action gamers were

58% better at perceiving fine differences in contrast. Which is important as this is

one of the first things to diminish with age.

Even in the elderly, improved memory and focus is seen. More importantly, specially designed

brain teasing video games have been shown to slow the aging process of the brain by

up to seven years. This is because they are cognitively complex and require mental energy!

Think you're able to keep track of what's in front of your eyes? Keep an eye on the

blue circle here. Eventually it will turn yellow like all the others. I will then point

to a circle, and you tell me if it was originally blue. If you knew this ball wasn't blue, then

you're a functioning human being. But lets make it harder. Staring at the middle of the

screen can help to keep track of the blue circles. Was this circle originally blue?

If you said no, you'd be right. One more time, but with 5 blue circles. Was this one originally

blue? Yup - it was. It turns out, the average person can track about 3-4 objects, while

a practiced action gamer can track around 6-7.

Finally, as technology continues to transform medicine, surgeries are being completed with

the insertion of cameras and remote controlled tools. And these surgeries have very clear

parallels to video games, with a screen and controlling device. Not surprisingly, young

doctors with previous exposure to video games show fewer errors and faster completion than

those without.

Of course, all of these skills are only useful if you use them; which you can't if all you

do is play video games. So enjoy your down time and relax with your games in moderation,

but get out there and keep your life diverse as well. Because that's how you'll win at

the game of life.

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