In a recent study, it’s been shown that yet again that there is a correlation between higher academic performance and playing video games.
Now, the first part to this is that correlation does not imply causality. However, this is yet another study that shows that video games have positive cognitive effects. So there is clearly something there.
Though, to be fair, it’s getting to the point now that we need to have more nuanced data that actually shows a causal relationship going on, if there is indeed one.
On the study itself, Alberto Posso, from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, analyzed data from high school students across Australia taking the 2012 Program for International Student Assessment (Pisa). It investigated the correlation between academic scores and children’s hobbies and interests, such as internet usage and video games.
Interestingly, usage of social media had a negative result with academic scores, showing a lower attention span compared to those that played video games.
The other important part in all this is that just playing video games doesn’t supplement academic study. As much as you may enjoy playing video games all day, if you don’t keep up with your studies then you won’t see the benefit they have to offer.
Therefore, when people criticize that games have no cultural value, namely those in the movie industry and often via a proxy no less, they clearly ignore the growing amount of scientific evidence that shows their potential value. Specifically that research shows that video games have a positive psychological effect on those that play them.
As I’ve said previously, games are a form of cognitive firmware and that is their cultural worth. However, it’s clear this relationship is a complex as well as a nuanced one and requires further detailed investigation.
Read my Forbes blog here.