For the newer generation, technology and gaming is the core to most childhood and adolescent entertainment. Even adults have reaped the benefits of online gaming, turning it into a profitable revenue through streaming. This has carried a heavy stereotype of adults males who live in their parent’s basements, kids learning violence from a game, and the overall lack of social skills or outdoor activities in response to the stimulation of a screen and a controller. However, the evolution of video games has researchers diving into the true physiological, and psychological impact that it has on people of all ages.
Cognitive Benefits:
Last year, a group of scientists looked into the relationship of Minecraft and the hippocampus. This part of the brain is responsible for many critical functions such as: learning, memory, hunger, motivation, mood, pain, pleasure, etc. (Clemenson, Henningfield, and Stark, 2019). Games such as Minecraft, 3D-simulating exploration can help boost these brain functions, especially memory and learning. The ability to be aware of surrounding environment and engage in tasks such as mining, building, or fighting off mobs allows the brain to utilize special mental imagery. This means the brain becomes more equipped to take in information in one’s surroundings, encode it, and store it into the memory more efficiently (Clemenson, Henningfield, and Stark, 2019). But these aren’t the only benefits that come from games such as Minecraft.
Reducing Stress:
Minecraft allows for a peaceful escape as it gives complete control to the player. That is why it is such a huge hit across all ages. Unlike most games, there is no pressure to reach a goal or achievement. Once you log on, to the moment you disconnect, you are free to do as you please without many limitations. The repetitive nature of the game allows for the players to let their minds wander once they begin a task, releasing stress and worries the more they play. This is because “when we engage in the repeated actions, after a short while our minds slip easily from the conscious, active, aggravated state to a conscious, passive, calming state” (Robboy, 2020). From kids needing a safe and healthy game to adults needing an escape from everyday stressors, Minecraft is the virtual world that erases the problems of the real world for anyone and everyone.
If you are interested in reading the studies or articles used for the research, here are the links below:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3548359/
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