Department of Defense Research: Gamers Are 20% Smarter
- Thread starter Greg Tito
- Start date
Sorry, but I find this to be complete bullsh*t.
I've been playing games for most of my life, and I don't feel any more responsive in the real world than I do in a game. Games are entertainment mediums made for the enjoyment of all. Nothing more; nothing less.
I've been playing games for most of my life, and I don't feel any more responsive in the real world than I do in a game. Games are entertainment mediums made for the enjoyment of all. Nothing more; nothing less.
no I said that once and i learnedCaptain Pancake said:
And the Marines and the Army and the Navy and the Airforce all get into fights about whose better but that never carries over when they are on the job.
Expecially within the special forces programs of Green Berets/Rangers/Seals/Marine Force Recon etc etc.
The Marines is a volunteer only outfit (except for like a month or so in the 60's)
Sure, gamers might be decent on the battlefield, but what happens when they accidentally recruit a griefer?
OT: Well, that is rather fascinating. Doesn't surprise me that people who play military-themed games would be more suited to a life in the military, though. I mean, you've clearly given the subject more thought than the average non-gamer.
OT: Well, that is rather fascinating. Doesn't surprise me that people who play military-themed games would be more suited to a life in the military, though. I mean, you've clearly given the subject more thought than the average non-gamer.
I don't think this is that accurate... If you play a MMORPG which is best completed with grinding and people teaming up with a team where no-one uses correct grammar, full words or real words for that sake, how does that increase knowledge? I've played a lot of various games, and Professor Layton might make you better at IQ tests and riddles, Zelda may make you cause to think about solutions, but gaming makes you smarter? Meh, I doubt it. I've seen so many gamers that are complete morons. Some of those I've met playing games online could probably find difficulties connecting the dots in an activity book for children.
Pointing it out is just as badkhaimera said:
In any case, what interested me most is this:
"[...] conventional beliefs about brain plasticity and aging are changing. The video game-like training programs at the Office of Naval Research, he noted, are producing surprising results."
What is video game-like? What games, or game-like things, are they using in the study? Are they using "brain-training" type games like the DS is so wanton with having, or is it more dexterity based things, or some combination... I'm truly curious.
I'd actually heard similar things before, though about surgery, like they are happy when surgeons play video games because it increases their hand-eye coordination and dexterity, and with some new devices that are controlled manually through computer controls, surgery can even be more like a game. I'm not exactly sure I want to see this applied to military applications, but it's great that they did this study. It's promising!
!= Smarter.
It means you make decisions and react faster. It doesn't mean you have a greater understanding of the world around you, or know more about the history of Asia. It means you can asses your situation and determine a course of action quicker.
Unsurprising, really. With the average game giving you plenty of opportunities to find solutions to problems quickly, with or without thinking outside the box, with or without zombies trying to eat your brain at the same time.
Too bad that "improved cognitive abilities" doesnt necessarily translate into more mature behavior for gamers..
Too bad that "improved cognitive abilities" doesnt necessarily translate into more mature behavior for gamers..
It isn't about knowledge, the term "smarter" here is in a different context. They speak more to the "skills" used in a MMORPG when in combat to determine what abilities to use, what abilities are being used against you, how to counter them, monitoring your resources and cooldowns; and in a group setting being aware of all those, to some degree, of your whole team. They're speaking more to the idea of the time it takes a person to asses their situation, determine a course of action, and take it; as well as the accuracy of those decisions.Yopaz said:
Edit: Also; the military doesn't use correct grammar, full words, or "real" words for that matter, in a combat situation either.
Now be careful kitties. Correlation does not imply causation.
Gaming may just attract more intelligent people. Not create them.
What if these people were on average 30% smarter and actually got dumber because of games? One must always remain vigilant and wary of studies. Even if you like their results.
Gaming may just attract more intelligent people. Not create them.
What if these people were on average 30% smarter and actually got dumber because of games? One must always remain vigilant and wary of studies. Even if you like their results.
