This article written by Dr. Rick Nauert from Psych Central outlines why video games are great social bonders and ultimately beneficial. Playing video games with friends is indeed a great social bonder, and I use Dr. Nauert's example to show why society should care about the impact of video games and how it is positive for all of us.
http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/12/21/for-some-video-games-bolster-social-bonds/49522.html
Some Important Quotes in the Article:
1. "There's a common stereotype that if you play video games, then you are a loner, but it may have more to do with how a person is involved in gaming that determines how their social support is affected".
2. Players may actually be doing something positive when gaming becomes a way for games to connect with friends who they otherwise may not be able to spend time with, especially friends who they are not near geographically".
3. The researchers also measured what role social bonding played in their gaming by asking them to what extent they agreed with statements such as, “Most of my friends are in some way associated with video gaming” and “I enjoy discussing video gaming with my friends.”
My Take: Don't get me wrong, too much video games is not good for you both mentally and physically. The point of my project is to demonstrate how video games can be good for you in a sense. I think a lot of people in society today believe video games are bad for you, period. But, if you think about it, everything that is done too excessively or to the extreme is unhealthy. Video games in moderation can have a positive impact on someone (in-game learning and competitive nature), and it is also a great social bonder as the article suggests. After interviewing all my friends, I have come to realize that they are not addicted to video games but rather consider it a hobby just like how someone may consider "running" a hobby. Video games are a great way to relax and bond, and that is what I got out of my project.
http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/12/21/for-some-video-games-bolster-social-bonds/49522.html
Some Important Quotes in the Article:
1. "There's a common stereotype that if you play video games, then you are a loner, but it may have more to do with how a person is involved in gaming that determines how their social support is affected".
2. Players may actually be doing something positive when gaming becomes a way for games to connect with friends who they otherwise may not be able to spend time with, especially friends who they are not near geographically".
3. The researchers also measured what role social bonding played in their gaming by asking them to what extent they agreed with statements such as, “Most of my friends are in some way associated with video gaming” and “I enjoy discussing video gaming with my friends.”
My Take: Don't get me wrong, too much video games is not good for you both mentally and physically. The point of my project is to demonstrate how video games can be good for you in a sense. I think a lot of people in society today believe video games are bad for you, period. But, if you think about it, everything that is done too excessively or to the extreme is unhealthy. Video games in moderation can have a positive impact on someone (in-game learning and competitive nature), and it is also a great social bonder as the article suggests. After interviewing all my friends, I have come to realize that they are not addicted to video games but rather consider it a hobby just like how someone may consider "running" a hobby. Video games are a great way to relax and bond, and that is what I got out of my project.