POSITIVE EFFECTS OF ONLINE GAMES: A REVIEW, Lecture notes of Psychology

Download POSITIVE EFFECTS OF ONLINE GAMES: A REVIEW and more Lecture notes Psychology in PDF only on Docsity! JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 6, ISSUE 03, 2019 60 POSITIVE EFFECTS OF ONLINE GAMES: A REVIEW *Mahima Sahi, Research Scholar, Department of Psychology, Panjab University, Chandigarh **Dr. Geeta Bhagat, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Mehr Chand MahajanDAV College for Women, Sector 36-A, Chandigarh Online games have become a significant part of the adolescent’s lifestyle now. Playing online games not only helps the adolescents to recreate, have fun and release stress but also to experience a host of other psychosocial benefits. The existing literature, however, highlights more negative than positive influences of gaming amongst the adolescents. Wherein, relatively fewer studies explore how online games enhance the cognitive, biological, psychological, emotional and social functioning of the individual if utilized optimally. And realizing the fact that games have now become an ‘inevitable’ part of the adolescent’s lifestyle, exploring its positive influences may actually provide an opportunity to practitioners, parents, and significant others to use online games to improve the mental health of the adolescents. For this purpose, the current investigation attempts to, firstly, review the ‘Positive Effects of Online Games’. Secondly, list findings based on the reviewed literary studies and thirdly, provide strategies of using games to improve the overall functioning of the adolescent. The study, therefore, attempts toinvite future empirical researches which further explore the positive aspects of online games and provide strategies to facilitate the adolescent mental health based on the same. Keywords: Online games, positive effects, adolescents Over the recent years online gaming culture has gained popularity especially amongst the younger generation, whereby, 90-97% of children play online games on a daily basis(Lenhart et al., 2008; Olson, 2010; De Argaes, 2013).Online games not only help them tohave fun or recreate but cope with daily stressors, escape boredom, socializeand kill their free timein a fun way by such ongoing and continuous play (Wan &Chiou, 2006; Wood & Griffiths, 2007). Excessive online gaming, however, may actually have negative influences upon the individual and hamper their psychosocial, physiological and emotional wellbeing (Kuss, Griffiths, Karila,&Billieux, 2014). Griffiths, Kuss,and King (2012)second the above study and depict that online games if played in excess do negatively influencethe overall mental health of the adolescent. However, otherrecent studies of Eichenbaum, Bavelier,and Green (2014) in contradiction to the above listed findingsdepict that rather than having harmful effects or being mere sources of entertainment ‘new age games’may have varied positive effects for different age groups, for e.g. games may be helpful to train children in complex skills, adults in professional skills andelders in memory based and cognitive skills. Further, studies of Adachi and Willoughby (2012); Jackson et al., (2012); Lobel, Granic, Stone, and Engels (2014)positsthatplaying online games, therein, contributes to the overall behavioural, social and professional development of the individual.Kim and Ross (2006); Colwell (2007),further, suggest that gaming may also help the individual to socialize, forminterpersonal relationships and overcome isolation. Olson (2010) adds that games, thus, not only help the adolescents to recreate but also learn from their age matesin a healthy and fun manner. In fact, over the past few years, games have emerged as the most effective tools to educate and train young mindsin various conceptual skills(Gee 2003, 2005; Gentile & Gentile, 2008). For instance, a specific game genre called Real-Time Strategy Games i.e. RTS(which according to Dan, 2006; Bruce, 2007are based on resource gathering, securing one’s position in the game and building a base etc.) helps the individualsin enhancing their working memory and further in improving their overall cognitive capacity JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 6, ISSUE 03, 2019 61 (Glass, Maddox,& Love, 2013).In fact,longitudinal studies also suggest positive effects of gamingand posit that excessive online gaming may actually reduce the risk of engaging in later ineffective behavior such as substance abuse amongst the adolescents (Liu, 2014). Keeping in lieu the above listed findings it becomes evident that online games are likely to have various positive effects on the social, psychological, physiological, professional and emotional wellbeing of the individual apart from some negative effects. Since, various studies enlist different potential benefits of online games; clarity in this domain mayhelp ingathering an understanding of how online games may be utilized toenhance the overall functioning of the individual. POSITIVE EFFECTS OF ONLINE GAMES Online games have a variety of positive effects as per different studies. The following is a summarization of positive effects of playing online games: 1. Training in Complex Skills: Over the years gaming has improved in terms of its graphics, content and complexity. Incorporating realistic effects, designs, role play and imagery online games help the individual to enhance their complex skills such as(Przybylski, Rigby, & Ryan 2010): a.Autonomy:Autonomy refers to a belief that one can attain a goal independently. This skill gets enhanced via gaming since most of the recent games are ‘task based’ which require the gamer to complete a task single- handedly (especially single player games) before proceeding to the next level or even for defeating a fellow gamer (as in multiplayer games). So in the process of doing so, the individual learns to produce ways to accomplish a goal autonomously which may further be generalized to their real life setting. b. Competence:This refers to one’s ability to utilize their internal and external resources effectively to successfully adapt to their environment. Wherein, online games limit the access of gamers to the resources required for survival in the game or change one’s moves in accordance with the guild, hence enhancing their ‘competence’. c. Relatedness:This refers to socializing with others so as to feel a sense of affinity and belongingness. Multiplayer games, wherein, are best fitted to enhance the skill of relatedness amongst the gamers because they require the gamer to connect or form interpersonal relations, and socialize with fellow gamers to proceed in the game. d. Competitiveness:Games also help the gamer to engage in a healthy competition with fellow gamers as well as provide an opportunity to learn from their own age group while completing team tasks such as in MMORPGS (Olson, 2010). e. Academic Skills:Apart from the above psychological skills, games could also help in enhancing theAcademic skillsof the adolescents by improving their knowledge base in particular subjectssuch asMaths, English, Science etc(Corbett, Koedinger, & Hadley, 2001; Murphy, Penuel, Means, Korbak,& Whaley, 2001). f.Professional Skills:Games may also enhance Professional skills of gamers such as marketing skills, sales, human resource management, logistics etc., for e.g. the multinational company ‘Volvo’ utilized a game to train their employees in sales based skills (Entertainment Software Association, 2011). 2. Enhancing Visual, Spatial and Attentional Skills (Eichenbaum et al., 2014): a. Visual skills:Online games have progressed in terms of its visuals and graphics, whereby, some particular game genres such asaction based JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 6, ISSUE 03, 2019 64 online games may enhance problem solving skills of the adolescentswhen they ‘play’ them rather than simply ‘watching’ them (which is likely to be greater for males as compared to females). 6. Improving Psychological Wellbeing, Quality of Life, Knowledge acquisition & Interpersonal Relationships: Gaming is likely to enhance the psychological, social and overall wellbeing of the individuals. For instance studies of Jason et al., (2013)posit that gamers are susceptible to have a better psychological wellbeing and experience greater positive emotions as compared to non-gamers.The reason for this difference in wellbeing of gamers and non-gamers is explained by various studies, for e.g. a recent study of Zhao, He, and Zheng(2011), depicts that online games give the gamers an opportunity to constructively channelize their aggressive energies via virtual medium and consequently improve their wellbeing.Still other studies of Wang and Liu (2012)add that online games enhance the experience of positive emotions of the gamers as well as reinforce ethics and morals in a light hearted and fun manner.While, earlier studies of Williamson and Facer (2003) depict thatonline games not only enhance positive experiences but also help the gamersin formingvarious interpersonal and peer relationships via virtual interactions. 7. Enhancing Motivation: Studies suggest that online games are likely to increase motivational levels of gamers by providing them with ample opportunities to accomplish a goal/task even after repeated failure.For instance, games make use of varied challenges that the gamer needs to fulfil so as to earn some credits/points in the game (Granic, Lobel& Engels, 2014). And since online games are fun, continuous and ongoing, the gamer in order to reach that goal or accomplish a task tries relentlessly to achieve it without a pause. Whereby, the points earned in the game act as ‘reinforcers’ for the gamer in exchange of their ‘efforts’ to meet their goals(Sweetser& Wyeth, 2005). This repeated process of persistently striving towards the game goals, thus, becomes a cue for the gamer in real life to suggest that following one’s goals judiciously even when faced with failure mayactually result in finally achieving them just like they result in earning pointsin case of the game(Ventura, Shute,& Zhao, 2013).This is seconded by another recent study ofMcGonigal (2011) as per whichgamers are highly motivatedto accomplish their goal if faced with a challenge/repeated failure to attain that goal and this is likely to even translate later to theirreal lives e.g. attaining educational success (Ventura et al., 2013). 8. Experiencing Positive Emotional States: According to Olson (2010) online games help the gamer to not only experience positive emotional states but to enhance their emotional regulation strategies. Studies of Aldao, Nolen- Hoeksema, andSchweizer (2010) support this viewpoint anddepict that apart from helping the gamer to experience positive emotional states online gameshelp to promote an adaptive emotional regulation strategy and also reduce maladaptive emotional regulation strategies amongst the gamers. Additionally, Russoniello, O’Brien, and Parks (2009); Ryan, Rigby, andPrzybylski, (2006) posit that online games improve the negative mood states of the gamer by inducing relaxation, reducing nervousnessand consequently increasing their positive emotional experiences.While,Sherry (2004), further depicts that playing online games maysometimes result in providing a ‘flow experience’to the gamer (a positive state of mind while JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 6, ISSUE 03, 2019 65 being immersed in some activity) and improve their emotional experience. However, Granic et al., (2014) points out that whether this ‘flow experience’ experienced by the gamer due to being immersed in the game can be translated to positive emotional states in real life setting or not is still doubtful. 9. Helping in socialization: Online games have diversified in terms of its graphics, content and types. One popular type of games, whereby, are Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) which are most played compared to other subtypes due to the ‘social element’ attached to them.Role playing games, wherein, help in providing the gamers with an opportunity toform and expand their social/peer relationships and improve their socialization skills. Studies of Gentile and Gentile (2008); Gentile et al., (2009)second the above viewpoint that multiplayer games by its virtue give gamersa chance to know how to make social decisions, understand whoto accept/reject within the clan as well aslearn how to establish trust within thegroupvia role play. Further, recent studies ofEntertainment Software Association (2012) reveal thatmore than 70% of gamers are likely to play online games with their friends or significant others. So games help the gamer to improve socialization skills and enhance prosocial, empathetic, cooperative and prosocialbehaviors(Ewoldsen et al., 2012)for e.g.Lenhart et al., (2008) depict that individuals engaged in games making use of social organization skills (organizing individuals in social groups and leading them e.g.Guild Wars 2) are likely to be more prosocial and helpful as compared to others. 10. Other Benefits: Some other benefits of playing online games include: a. Anand (2007); Jackson et al., (2008) in their studies depict that online games may enhance some visual-spatial skills of the gamers that help in improving their academic performance in various academic disciplines. b. More recentlyAnderton (2018) in an article depictsstatistical analysis of Forbes according to which there are various benefits of playing online games as reported by the respondents viz.,  93% depict no relationship between aggression/violence and online games  89% agree games to have social benefits  66% depict games help in forming peer associations  44% agree online games may help in emotional regulation of gamers  While 30% approve of games as a via media for cognitive enhancement c. Lastly,studies ofTumobokon (2019) reveal online games to have varied other benefits such asimproving decision making, visuo-spatial skills, memory, reasoning, pattern recognition, planning, simultaneous processing, analyzing, strategizing, concentration, teamwork and management etc. SUGGESTIONS & FINDINGS Based on the above literary review it becomes evident that online games are likely to have numerous psychosocial and physiological benefits for the individual if used effectively. The following findings and strategies are thus enlisted based on the above review i.e.: Findings: Different genres of games may contribute to different potential benefits i.e.  Exergames may help in reducing lethargy/obesity and improving reaction time of the individual. JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 6, ISSUE 03, 2019 66  Action Games may help the adolescent in releasing their pent up aggression, frustration and anger.  Strategy based Games may help them in improving reasoning, planning, analogy, memory, decision making and problem solving abilities of the adolescents.  MMORPG’s may help in enhancing social and prosocial behavior.  Games involving academic themes may help in enhancing the subject knowledge and learning skills of the adolescent.  Other games may simply help the adolescent in recreating and alleviating stress. Suggestions: The following strategies can be utilized to enhance adolescent mental health on the basis of above listed findings:  Since online games are a non-threatening means to socialize with others (as one can keep their identity anonymous while playing) they can be utilized with patients of social phobia or social anxiety so as to reduce its symptom severity and improve interpersonal relationships.  Online Games involve the use of graphics, sounds, colours and themes which may be used to enhance the creativity and imagery of adolescents.  Since‘virtual reality’ is a vital part of the adolescents’ routine, parents may usemultiplayer games to establish a healthy rapport with their childand become a part of their inner circle.  Practitioners could make use of online games to enhance working memory and other cognitive functions in patients of intellectual disability and other memory based problems.  Online games with educational themes could be used to train those with Learning Disabilities, Expressive Language Disorders, Mixed Receptive Expressive Language Disorder, Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder, Phonological Problems, Articulation problems and Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Clients with Depression and Binge Eating Disorder could be made to play Exergames or MMORPG’s so as to engage in some meaningful physical and social activity while having fun.  Increased anger, irritability and aggression are a common problem enlisted by parents concerningadolescents. So online games mayhelp in releasing anger and channelizing negative energyof adolescents in a non-threatening and constructive manner.  With an increase in academic, social, parental and peer pressure, online games may act as mediators in reducing stress and functioninghealthily in difficult circumstances. So practitioners may use games as a part of their interventional plans for adolescents facing Stress related or Anxiety based problems.  Adolescents lacking the ability to sustain concentration on a particular activity, having weak self concepts, low self esteem, anxiety or low motivation could play online games in moderation on a regular basis that would help in improving all the above listed conditions. The above listed strategies could be combined heuristically with the findings of further empirical researches so as to design interventional plans utilizing online games to enhance adolescent mental health. 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