But it’s just a game! The social and psychological influence of video games Kim Fehervary EDRE 623 Assignment 1

Or is it?

Have we heard this before?

1 2 WHAT DO YOU THIN K? 3 4

Reality check: Video gaming in Australia 9 in 10 Australian households own at least one video game device 6 in 10 Australian homes have 3 or more gaming devices Average age of a gamer is 32 years of age 94% of 6-15 year olds play video games 75% of those over 18 play video games (Australian research conducted by Bond University (2015))

But it’s just a game! SOCIAL INFLUENCES OF VIDEO GAMES Improves multi-tasking Develops socialisation Improves literacy Leads to better health Used in training eg surgeons, pilots, military Maintains & sustains attention Develops how we resolve conflict Assists to regulate conflict

But it’s just a game! PSYCHOLOGICAL INFLUENCES OF VIDEO GAMES Develops neural plasticity Develops spatial orientation Increases empathy Activates the brain Used to manage pain Virtual reality therapy Enables gamers to switch easily between reality and fiction Assists gamers to identify distractions Develops quicker reactions Improves vision Improves cognitive flexibility

Or is it! SOCIAL INFLUENCES OF VIDEO GAMES Engenders violence & other anti- social behaviours Creates gender stereotypes Promotes racist attitudes Breaks down communication

Or is it! PSYCHOLOGICAL INFLUENCES OF VIDEO GAMES Stifles children’s imagination Exposes gamers to cyberbullying Encourages gambling

Video game classification How are video games classified in Australia? Guidelines for the classification of video games -Govt Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 Guidelines for the classification of video games -Govt

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW The Science behind video games Catalyst - online games pleasure and pain incentives that make VGs addictive The naked scientist Game on! The science of video games

POPE FRANCIS’ SETS A CHALLENGE … The Church shouldn’t be afraid to face modern challenges. By taking on these challenges, she is able to provide concrete answers illuminated by the light of the Gospel. To enter into the mystery demands that we not be afraid of reality: that we not be locked into ourselves, that we not flee from what we fail to understand, that we not close our eyes to problems or deny them, that we not dismiss our questions... To enter into the mystery means going beyond our own comfort zone, beyond the laziness and indifference which hold us back, and going out in search of truth, beauty and love. It is seeking a deeper meaning, an answer, and not an easy one, to the questions which challenge our faith, our fidelity and our very existence. To enter into the mystery, we need humility, the lowliness to abase ourselves, to come down from the pedestal of our “I” which is so proud, of our presumption; the humility not to take ourselves so seriously, recognizing who we really are: creatures with strengths and weaknesses…

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WANT TO KNOW MORE YOU TUBE Your brain on video games Video games violence The video game revolution: History of gaming