Preview

Outline for a Persuasive Speech about Benefits of Playing Video Games

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1217 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Outline for a Persuasive Speech about Benefits of Playing Video Games
A new paper in American Psychologist, the flagship journal of the American Psychological Association, looks at the positive effects of video game play.

I’ve already written about the 5 reasons I’m buying my kids a Wii U this holiday season. In a way, this post offers 4 more reasons, emphasizing some of the positive impact that comes from gaming. As you’ll read below, I have some reservations about the paper, but I also think there’s a lot of good information in it.

The research paper, by Isabela Granic, Adam Lobel, and Rutger C. M. E. Engels, entitled “The Benefits of Playing Video Games,” attempts to balance out the kinds of research that has been undertaken around gaming. The authors write:

Decades of valuable research on the effects of violent video games on children’s and adolescents’ aggressive behavior already exists, and this is indeed an important body of work to consider. However, we argue that in order to understand the impact of video games on children’s and adolescents’ development, a more balanced perspective is needed, one that considers not only the possible negative effects but also the benefits of playing these games.

They summarize research on the positive impact of gaming in the following areas: cognitive, motivational, emotional, and social. Here, I summarize their summary.

I feel compelled to mention that I do have a number of questions about the validity of the general concept of “psychological health.” The criteria with which we assess one’s psychological well-being seem, to me, inescapably political in nature. That is, I believe we should seriously question what agenda underlies any attempt at identifying an “ideal” image of health. Healthy for what? Often, we are defining what it means to be healthy enough to participate in an inherently unhealthy system. Consider that myriad authors have pointed out that many of our most ‘successful’ citizens, our most famous CEOs in particular, display sociopathic tendencies.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    There are many negative effects of playing video games. However, the view of positive psychology is starting to be seen in video game research. Researchers have studied some of the many the positive effects, and the wide range of possible benefits, of playing video games (e.g., Allaire et al., 2013; Granic, Lobel, & Engels, 2014; Johnson, Jones, Scholes, & Carras, 2013; Khoo, 2012). They are out seeking to explore the various methods in researching the beneficial effects of playing video games, as well as the theories of mechanisms by which these effects may occur. They want to show how content and context are during interaction, and or moderate differentially effecting pro-social behavior to playing the video game.…

    • 117 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    “Currently there are more than half a billion people worldwide playing online games at least an hour a day -- and 183 million in the US alone.” (McGonigal, 2011) There is an extensive anti-game lobby that believes video games promote violence, anti-social behaviour, and zoned-out teenagers. However, there is ample evidence to support my theory that video games have been unfairly maligned. In this paper I will examine research and anecdotal evidence to illustrate why video games are good for you.…

    • 2900 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Videogames Benefits

    • 559 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Most people think that playing video games will lead you to a life of crime, delinquency, and misery. The opposite, however, is true. Video games can be used properly to improve the coordination and concentration physically, socially, and mentally to benefit the user. Does this mean kids should spend all day playing? No. This occurs when they are used properly and in moderation. Contrary to what most of the people believes, video games can actually help your motorskills no matter how younger people are.…

    • 559 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    In 1972, the Surgeon General issued the following warning on violent TV programs: "It is clear to me that the causal relationship between televised violence and antisocial behavior is sufficient to warrant appropriate and immediate remedial action…there comes a time when the data are sufficient to justify action: that time has come” (Steinfeld, 1972). Since the time that video games began to dominate the market, media has been investigated as one of the major sources of malevolent behaviors in society. “In the years since this Surgeon General warning was issued, hundreds of additional studies have shown a link between violent media exposure and aggression”(Anderson& Bushman, 2002).Although this warning related to television, it is a wonder if these same negative effects could be present in the use of violent video games. With all of the violence occurring in and surrounding schools in this current day, it is possible that violent video games also have a negative effect on the behaviors and interactions of those who use them. In the following, we will discover three different reasons why violent video games have a negative effect on players. Although video games are touted as being responsible to the refinement and advancement of fine motor skills and creative thinking, there are some issues when it comes to violent video games. When compared with television, there are some overlapping concerns. There are some benefits to playing video games over television, however. While video games involve active play, television uses more passive interaction between the player and the media. Information is better transmitted when a person is actively involved with the media being used. For instance, most children would prefer to learn a new skill or…

    • 2000 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gentile, Douglas A. et al (2004). The effects of violent video game habits on adolescent hostility, aggressive behaviors, and school performance. Retrieved October 4, 2010, from pdfcast.org: http://pdfcast.org/pdf/the-effects-of-violent-video-game-habits-on-adolescent-hostility-aggressive-behaviors-and-school-performance…

    • 905 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Linda Bernstein’s informative article “Gaming the Console” she presents both sides to the ongoing debate about the possible consequences associated with playing video games. Some experts have concluded that gaming leads to negative outcomes such as an increase in violent behavior, or a decrease in academic and social skills. On the other hand, there is a belief that some video games can have positive educational and physical benefits. Bernstein touches on all of these aspects of gaming and leaves the ultimate decision up to the reader to form his or her own opinion on the matter. Throughout the article, there are three images displayed that effectively support the text and help develop the arguments presented.…

    • 727 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Un Nintended Benefits

    • 311 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Is it true that video games are bad? Anti-social, aggressive behavior, and even health risks? Not all the time, as Dave Barry would say. Many video games such as, sports, adventure and strategy games, can all improve mental skills. It may also improve a better process of thinking, problem solving, and cognitive skills and also reduce stress. They provide a unique, interactive and complex activity, at low cost and zero…

    • 311 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    I grew up in a household where video games were a privilege that I had to earn. When I had done all my homework and chores, I was allowed to play video games for an hour a day. As I grew older my parents thought I could make my own choices and did not limit the amount of time I spent playing video games. Many people today think that video games cause children to become couch potatoes, act dumb, and be rude. As a young child, my parents taught me that responsibilities come before the reward. That is why I have a different opinion of video games. I believe that video games can be beneficial to individuals; however, there are limitations. They help children deal with cancer, improve literacy skills, gain educational skills, and stay fit, but individuals should be cautious about the genre of the game and the amount of play time. When these precautions are taken, video games can be a helpful tool for many.…

    • 2619 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Video Games Affect the Brain

    • 3222 Words
    • 13 Pages

    We hear conflicting reports about how video games affect our brains. One study will suggest that video games help us learn; another might imply that they make young people more aggressive. Douglas A. Gentile argues that how games influence our brains is not an either-or proposition; games can have both positive and negative consequences, and which of these researchers find depends on what they are testing. Gentile proposes that researchers focus their investigations on five attributes of video game design to tease out these disparate effects.…

    • 3222 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Is Reality broken?

    • 1175 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Jane McGonigal, a game designer, became known for location-based and alternate reality games. Her first book; “Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World” CITATION Jan11 \l 1033 (McGonigal), was published in 2011. Jane argues that games contribute powerfully to human happiness and stimulation, a sense of purpose and the augmentation of community. I believe the main thesis in this essay is that gaming is a powerful activity; games can improve our social skills and problem solving skills. They also pose potential threats as time-consuming game play may develop into addiction, in serious cases; job loss and relationships are at risk.…

    • 1175 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Linda Bernstein’s article “Gaming the Console” addresses the possible effects that video gaming has on teenagers and children. The article supports both sides of the debate: whether or not video gaming has negative consequences. Ultimately, Bernstein lets the reader form his or her own opinion on the subject. Some scientists and experts claim that video gaming is harmful as it may negatively affect areas of the brain, academic and social skills, and can become highly addictive. Other experts argue that some video games are educational and have positive physical benefits.…

    • 617 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Freeman, B. (2010, Jan. 25). Researchers examine video gaming’s benefits. American Forces Press Service. Retrieved from http://www.defense.gov/news/…

    • 3631 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Marc Prensky introduces the positive effects of playing computer games for children. His main argument is that games are powerful but also engaging tools for learning skills essential in everyday situations. Mark Prensky quotes a book called Got Game: How the Gamer Generation is Reshaping Business Forever in which the author John C. Beck describes the qualities of gamers and why gamers are better business…

    • 901 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Two features of video games fuel renewed interest by researchers, public policy makers, and the general public. The active role required by playing video games is a double-edged sword. Firstly, for the positive side, educational video games are excellent teaching tools for motivational…

    • 3153 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Better Essays

    Video Games Are Beneficial

    • 1909 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Video Games have come a long way since their first introduction into the main stream. With video games becoming more sophisticated and using advanced technology, it seems as if video games are closing in on the gap between games and reality. However, as video games become ever so life-like it brings up the question of if the violence associated with video games is having a negative consequence. There have been many accusations over the years over the harm video games are causing children and teenagers. Experiments have been conducted trying to associate a link between video games and aggressive behavior. Even the media has been known to point fingers at video games for the cause of children committing criminal activity. Despite these many accusations, I tend to argue that video games are not as harmful to the mind as portrayed by the media, and instead beneficial.…

    • 1909 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays