Video Game Influence A recent study, conducted at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Charité University Medicine St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus, shows that video games don’t lead to long-term behavioral problems. Not only do video games not lead to these problems, but they actually improve things such as reflexes, creativity, and even give a healthier brain. A molecular psychiatrist found that “video gaming causes increases in the brain regions responsible for spatial orientation, memory formation, and strategic planning, as well as fine motor skills.” Video games are often assumed to take a toll on the person that plays them physically, emotionally, and/or psychologically. These assumptions often come from concerns that a person has, rather than the evidence that can prove otherwise. This has been a problem since video games first came around. The good side to video games, such as hand eye coordination being trained, will be talked about. The bad side, such as the violence in video games, or the addiction they cause, will also be addressed. These problems are often serious problems and can be difficult to deal with. It is worth noting that some video games can actually be good for a person to be playing—in moderation of course.
The Positive Effects of Video Games One thing that video games can help train is a person’s spatial navigation. Spatial navigation is the ability to be able to know what is around you, even though you might not be looking that direction. Though often the game that trains this area the best is a first-person shooter (often violent), the player becomes more aware of their surroundings and practices being able to react different depending on their surroundings. A study done at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development shows that people playing a game called “Super Mario 64” have increased size in brain regions that are