Addicted to Video Games? The Brainwashing Effects of the Gaming Industry.
It’s no secret that some people spend large amounts of time playing video games, and it’s common knowledge that some people become addicted to these games. However, people often don’t know why video games are so addictive and why this addiction has such a hold on them. Video games can be addicting because of the way they affect the brain — here’s how gaming affects the brain and why it can have such a powerful influence over those who are hooked on gaming.
In-game purchasable content
When you're in the middle of a video game, it can be easy to get sucked in and lose track of time. But have you ever wondered why video games are so addictive? It turns out, there are some science behind it. In recent years, researchers at Stanford University have been exploring the neurological impact of video gaming. The researchers found that playing action-packed games actually improves gamers' brain capacity for cognitive processing speed and their ability to multitask! Furthermore, one study found that kids who play high-engagement video games like Minecraft for three hours or more per week tend to do better on math tests than those who don't. And while many argue that these effects disappear once someone stops playing the game, research has shown that they last up to six months after playing is stopped!
What's interesting about this information is how it contrasts with what we hear from media reports and popular culture: gaming is bad for kids because they can't pay attention in school or socialize with friends. But what does video gaming really do to your brain? Surprisingly, studies show that regular playing of certain types of video games can actually improve cognitive function! Furthermore, people who play videogames for long periods (three hours or more) per week are less likely to struggle with problems such as ADHD and dyslexia. We may not yet know the full extent of the benefits offered by games like Minecraft - but it's becoming clear that parents shouldn't worry too much when their kids want to stay indoors all day instead of going outside. If you're concerned about whether or not your child is overdoing it, set limits on how often they can play each day and make sure they take breaks every now and then to allow them to engage in other activities! A few good examples include reading books, drawing pictures, or watching movies.
For more information on the positive side of video games check out the Stanford News website here.
Compulsion loop
Do you ever find yourself playing a video game for hours on end, even when you don't really enjoy it anymore? If so, you're not alone. In fact, there's a reason why video games are so addictive. It all has to do with the compulsion loop, which is a continuous cycle of rewards that keep players coming back for more. You might experience these as coins and points, or unlockable levels and bonuses. Essentially, this means that every time you complete a task in a video game (be it killing an enemy or solving a puzzle), you'll be rewarded with some kind of prize.
But what keeps people from losing interest in the task? As soon as they feel like they've completed something successfully (or have been rewarded), the brain releases dopamine into their system-a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and happiness. That makes them want to play again and again...until their stomach starts growling! Over time, the person will become accustomed to feeling happy after completing a task in the game. Then, if they try to stop playing without having completed any tasks, their brain won't produce enough dopamine and they'll start feeling depressed. So how can we break out of this never-ending loop? Try setting goals before you start gaming: Put down your controller after 20 minutes or set up boundaries such as no gaming at work during lunch breaks. It may seem challenging at first but once you get used to it, everything will go back to normal! Just remember that it takes 21 days to form a habit.
Lack of female characters in mainstream games
Video games are often addictive because they are designed to be. Companies want you to keep playing their games so that you will continue to spend money on them, and they do this by carefully crafting an experience that is specifically designed to keep you hooked. Not only does gaming addiction have psychological effects such as escapism, but it also has physical effects. Have you ever been too scared to stop playing a game in fear of what might happen if you leave your character vulnerable for too long? That’s called commitment bias, and it can seriously hinder your personal relationships if left unchecked. Commitment bias can lead people to stay committed to something even when it no longer serves any real purpose or benefit for them. The more someone invests in something without receiving anything back from it, the more likely they are to keep investing time and energy into it. Similarly, people who lack meaningful social connections may feel compelled to play video games excessively simply because there is no one else with whom they can connect emotionally. In other words, video games provide an emotional connection that many people don't get elsewhere in their lives. Unfortunately, there's still not enough research being done about how this impacts players' mental health and well-being over time. It's important to note that some games are made for a specific audience and should not be played by anyone outside of those groups. For example, Grand Theft Auto has received criticism for its portrayal of women and its explicit violence against them. Women are already less likely than men to identify themselves as gamers; therefore, these kinds of games can serve as barriers to entry for female gamers interested in taking up the hobby themselves.
Violence
It's no secret that video games are often criticized for their violent content. But what many people don't realize is that this violence can have a very real effect on the brain. Studies have shown that playing violent video games can increase aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and can decrease prosocial (helping) behaviors. It can also lead to desensitization to violence, which means that people become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others. And in some extreme cases, it can even lead to real-life violence. So if you're wondering why video games are so addictive, this might be part of the reason. They give gamers an outlet for all those high levels of energy, and offer rewards in the form of points or advancement to keep them going. And thanks to our brains' natural addiction tendencies, we want more and more – so we go back again and again until we've maxed out our lives with video games.
Watching others play online
Have you ever wondered why you can't stop playing video games even though you know they're bad for you? Well, it turns out that the gaming industry has been purposely making their games addictive in order to keep players hooked. In a study by Psychology Today, Dr. Lisa Cummings and her team at the University of Washington studied how gamers' brains react when they are shown a gaming-related stimulus like gameplay footage or other related content.
The researchers found that watching others play online not only activates a player's reward system but also increases activity in the area associated with social interaction (maintaining eye contact). After watching these clips for fifteen minutes, participants showed decreased activity in regions associated with mental flexibility and visual acuity (i.e., noticing details). In fact, some parts of their brain became as active as if they were on cocaine!
Violence against women – women as victims
Women have long been victims of violence, both in the real world and in the virtual one. In the gaming industry, women are often sexualized and used as objects for male pleasure. This objectification of women leads to real-world violence against women, as men who play these games are more likely to see women as objects rather than human beings. Men that believe that women exist only for their own gratification commit sex crimes at high rates. These crimes range from unwanted touching and requests for sexual favors to forced intercourse and rape. What’s more, an estimated 15% of college males report committing acts similar to or worse than those seen on Super Mario Bros., but many don’t think it is serious enough to report. Of course, this same dynamic plays out in other types of media. However, there is a clear difference: with video games (and perhaps other interactive media), there is a physical component—physical aggression—that can accompany the psychological component—sexual aggression. As such, it has led some scholars and journalists to describe video game culture as a toxic subculture that feeds into some young men’s tendency towards sexism and misogyny
Social isolation – not enough real world interaction.
In today's society, it's easy to become a hermit. We can order our groceries online, stream our favorite shows, and work from home. We don't need to leave our homes to have a good time – we can just pick up a controller and escape into another world. But there are some serious consequences to this self-imposed isolation. One study found that when people were exposed to two similar social interactions (real life or on-screen), they rated the on-screen interaction as less satisfying than the real life interaction, even though they were identical. What this means is that with every hour you spend playing video games, you're also missing out on connecting with other people in real life experiences. And not only does that make your virtual experience less satisfying than it would be otherwise; over time, lack of human contact may lead to withdrawal symptoms like depression and fatigue (the same way someone who doesn't drink water for long periods may experience). Plus, all those hours spent gaming could translate into missed opportunities at work or school.
Screen time before bed - sleep problems
Do you find yourself up late at night, eyes glued to the screen as you mindlessly level up your character? If so, you're not alone. According to a recent study, 60% of Americans say they play video games regularly. That's up from just 10% in 1995! And some people are even choosing gaming over sleep. When asked what they would give up for one year if given the choice between giving up their car or their TV or video game console, nearly 40% said they would give up their car while only 18% said they would give up their TV or video game console. A whopping 54% admitted that they would choose to stay plugged into their gaming system and miss out on sleep instead! But how does gaming affect our brains? Well, let's look at an example: Research shows that after playing violent video games for 20 minutes, test subjects showed less activity in regions of the brain associated with empathy and self-control. Even after a single session of playing these types of games, there was decreased activity in these regions of the brain - which is scary considering many people spend hours each day playing them! Furthermore, research has shown that prolonged exposure to violence can lead to increased levels of aggression and more impulsive decision making. So why do video games have such a powerful effect on our brains? As it turns out, it might be because we naturally get more dopamine when we're addicted to something - especially something risky like gambling or drugs. For example, research has shown that gambling addicts show higher levels of dopamine when presented with gambling scenarios than those who aren't addicted.
Increasing screen time with mobile devices and laptops
We are a generation that is absolutely addicted to screens. Whether it's our phones, laptops, TVs, or gaming consoles, we just can't seem to get enough. And there's a reason for that. Studies have shown that the more time we spend staring at screens, the more our brains crave them. It's an addiction because your brain wants to be in a state of flow and focus. If you're using your phone constantly, this makes you feel like you're accomplishing something. But what you don't realize is that every app will eventually lose its novelty and give you the same feeling over and over again as you keep doing it without even realizing. It doesn't help either that studies show these apps cause cognitive impairment when used extensively, which means they make us dumber than before when we use them. With all the data being collected about us from companies like Facebook and Google, many people aren't aware of how much information has been gathered about their personality. And with no restrictions on ad tracking technology today, companies know everything about you by following what type of ads you click on or purchase. Combine this with the fact that children who play video games often suffer from stunted social skills because they prefer virtual interactions rather than face-to-face ones, and you've got yourself a recipe for disaster!
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