Pros And Cons Of Playing Video Games

Outline of the Paper

Chapter 1: Introduction

Background

Problem

Rqationale and Significance

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Chapter 3: Research Methodology

Research Method

Literature Selection Criteria

Search Technique

Chapter 1: Introduction

Background of the Study

It is untrue that video games cause people to become brainless, dim-witted zombies. Here again, they do quite the opposite. A survey of professional business persons found that those who had played video games in their youth had better business skills in areas like teamwork and careful risk taking (Lewis). While these gamers obviously did not stay up all night trying to find all one hundred twenty stars in Mario 64 and suddenly know how to run Microsoft.

Problem

Video games have been under a lot of scrutiny the last few years. Many people believe that they have harmful side effects, and that children and teens should not be allowed to play them. Despite the popular movie depiction, video games do not lead people to live in alone their mother's basement, scarcely coming out into the daylight. In fact they typically increase social interaction.

Rationale and Significance of the Study

Games do challenge them in many areas which will help them to grow up to be smarter. Most video games force players to come up with strategies and solve puzzles to reach and defeat enemies (Eron 219). Sometimes either a real life friend or AI (Artificial Intelligence) character's help is needed as well. Encounters with these virtual challenges on a regular basis help build a strong base for many types of intellect to grow on. Not only can games help create intelligence, but they can help in retaining it too.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

The popular puzzle game series called Brain Age has been seen to improve computing speed as well as slow down the onset of diseases like Alzheimers and dementia (Lenhart 52). If video games are helping our elderly be able to remember their children and grandchildren longer, or even simply what they had for breakfast the day before, why does the media constantly view them negatively? Since video games help kids learn more as well as retain intelligence they are definitely something we want to hold on to.

Another big issue the media uses to attack games is that they make people lazy and unhealthy. The chief argument why video games are harmful according to the media: violence. These games apparently brainwash children into thinking that violence is okay and influencing them to go out and shoot their neighbors and puppies. But they are a falsely accused party. First of all we must consider this: video games are rated similarly to movies. These ratings are supposed to protect the kids. K for kid friendly, T for teen, M for mature and AO for adult just to name a few. Many video game stores, such as GameStop, FORBID employees from selling M and AO rated games to people under seventeen and eighteen respectively (McCurry 55). There are also sub-ratings. Some are as bad as "Blood and Gore" which means depictions of blood or the mutilation ...