Are Video Games Therapy?

1097 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Violent video games negative impact on kids

The use of video games has become a norm for many people and families. They may be used to relax after a long day of work, or as a way for the family to all participate in something together. Many people view video games as just another form of entertainment, but could they actually be more? Meditation is used as a therapy to reduce the stress of everyday life. It is a way to focus one’s mind on the present and alleviate the stress that life can cause. By focusing on something besides stress, a person is able to relax. By applying those same observations to the act of playing a video game, one can see how playing a video game can be as effective as meditating. While playing a video game the mind is no longer focused on the stress of the day. The person playing the game is focused on the task of playing the game and alleviating the stress they may feel from everyday life. Juan Alcibar, a recovering soldier at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, says “When you're just sitting in your room thinking about what happened, it drives you crazy,” he says. “This is something to get your mind off your sorrows.” (Qtd. In Musgrove) For this soldier the act of playing a video game is a therapy that helps the same as meditation would. The use of physical therapy for patients with a physical injury is common practice among most medical facilities. Physical therapy normally consists of using the injured part of the body in some physical way to strengthen muscles and relearn fine motor skills. According to an article, written by Lindsey Tanner, the normal exercises used to treat the injured can be painful and boring. In her article she interviews therapists using the Wii gaming console in their rehabilitation process. She reports, with the use ... ... middle of paper ... ... It does not matter if you use them to relax after a long work day or as a way to get some much-needed exercise, video games are on their way to being a norm in our society for many more uses than just entertainment. Works sited Gordon, Serena. “ Violent Video Games May Not Desensitize Kids: Study Data Suggests Children's Long-term 'Emotional Memory' Not Affected.” U.S. News & World Report. 23 Feb. 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Musgrove, Mike. “Games as Therapy for Walter Reed’s Wounded.” Washington Post. 27 May. 2007. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Schiesel, Seth. “ P.E. Classes Turn to Video Game That Works Legs.” New York Times. 30 Apr. 2007. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Snider, Mike. “ Video Games Actually can be Good for You.” USA Today. 27 Sep. 2005. Web. 26 Feb. 2011. Tanner, Lindsey. “ Doctors use Wii Games for Rehab Therapy.” USA Today. 8 Feb. 2008. Web. 26 Feb. 2011.

Show More
Related

  • Analysis of Andrew Tuplin's Virtual Morality

    1281 Words  | 3 Pages

    Boulanger, Amy. "How Video Games Can Help Children Succeed in School." Medical Daily. (2013): n. page. Web. 20 Jan. 2014.

    Read More

  • Are Video Games Changing Us?

    1399 Words  | 3 Pages

    Gaming supporters have made claims about the benefits of video games. It has been said that video games are used for therapeutic and educational purposes (Nakaya). It has been suggested that video games require discipline, problem solving and decision making skills (Sullenthrop). These things can be achieved, yet when people play videogames they use it therapeutically to relieve stress in their lives and learn to apply violence on things that give them stress, thus, solving their problems. When a person plays a violent video game, they continue to repeat acts of violence in order to reach the goal of the game. According to psychiatrist Adolph Casal, “gamers are not only releasing aggression while playing the game, they are practicing aggression and when we practice something, we become skilled at it" (Nakaya). Gaming supporters perhaps do not realize the dangers of violent video games shown from studies by relating violent video games to aggressiveness and shootings.

    Read More

  • Tom Bissell Argumentative Essay

    649 Words  | 2 Pages

    Video games have become a hot topic recently. There have been a lot of controversy over whether to play or not to play. The controversy is due to them being arguably more captivating than all other forms of entertainment. Video games narrate an epic tale like no other form of entertainment can. You can become immersed in video games, because of this they are both a highly entertaining escape from the real world and a complete waste of time.

    Read More

  • Physical Therapy

    1641 Words  | 4 Pages

    People have created a hectic and busy world, that includes careers and daily activities that require physical activity. While attempting to attain the required physical conditioning, people often take chances with their personal health as they try to stretch their physical limits. Sometimes, people can surpass their current limits and form new boundaries; however, other times people are not so fortunate. These unfortunate times often lead to injury, including workplace accidents, sporting incidents, disease afflictions, as well as others; any or all of which could bring about the need of rehabilitation services. Many of these require physical therapy, which includes assisting injured or otherwise impaired patients as they recover to their pre-injury status or to recover as much as is physically possible. The field of physical therapy is a choice career for those who enjoy helping people recover from injury, and the following text will provide reason for choosing this profession.

    Read More

  • History of Video Games

    2092 Words  | 5 Pages

    Inskeep, Steve. “Surgery Trainees Warm Up Using Video Games.” Morning Edition. NPR. WNYC, New York. 21 Jan, 2008.

    Read More

  • Violent Video Games

    862 Words  | 2 Pages

    There is much persistent debate throughout culture these days concerning video games. Common questions asked are things like ?Where should the lines be drawn in terms of content? and What audience, if any, is this appropriate for? As lawyers fight, bizarre crimes are blamed on video games, constant studies take place, and technology continues to evolve, the video game world continues to thrive and be extremely profitable. While there is near-constant focus on the supposed ?negatives? of games like simulated killing, drug use, or sex, most people, especially those completely outside of gaming circles, fail to acknowledge that gaming of any kind can possibly have positive effects on players. While increased hand-eye coordination is a common benefit attributed to gaming, one particular study conducted revealed a mixed bag of possibly positive and negative effects.

    Read More

  • Violent Video Games Effect People

    1733 Words  | 4 Pages

    Granic, Isabela, Adam Lobel, and Rutger C. M. E. Engels. "The Benefits Of Playing Video Games." American Psychologist 69.1 (2014): 66-78. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay: Persuasive Video Games

    1047 Words  | 3 Pages

    Video games. They provide an escape from reality to explore worlds and realms beyond our own. However there is a lot of controversy surrounding wether or not video games are good for you, many people are under the impression that video games turn kids and adults alike into mindless zombies hellbent on violence but in this essay I aim to convince you that not only is this untrue but that video games are actually beneficial. I’d also like to mention that too much of anything is bad for your health,for example extremely high quantities of broccoli can be toxic.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Video Games

    1545 Words  | 4 Pages

    Exercises are important activities for people who want to achieve healthy lives. Imagine that John, a person who loved to play tennis. He played tennis every morning before he went to work. However, one day, it rained hard outside and he couldn’t play his favorite sport anymore. He was so sad and depressed. Luckily, he remembered that he had a Wii--a video game console-- that could help him to play tennis with online people inside his house. It’s a big thank to the video game industry, now people can play sports any time they want inside their houses. Not only tennis, there is a ton of exercise game for people to choose: dancing games, yoga games, footballs game, fitness games to name a few. More than that, the video game industry is trying to create new exercise games that are more and more realistic so that people can burn the same amount of calories as they do actual sports when they play video games. In additions, for the first time in century, everyone can actually play sports and compete with people around the worlds inside their small houses. Exercising is more fun than ever before. ESPN channel actually broadcasts video games as normal sports. People can also learn about healthy foods when they play cooking video games. For an example, Cooking Academy, a game where players will play as a chef and learn to cook more than fifty recipes. Players will fry, chop, flip, mash, and more while answering

    Read More

  • Video Games as a Learning Tool

    1461 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are several negative stereotypes associated with video games and those who play them; some of these may often hold true. However, there are plenty of learning opportunities in video games. While the direct purpose of some games is to educate or train, other games that do not directly have this purpose can still become a learning experience for the player. As Ntiedo Etuk, president of the educational video game company Tabula Digital said, “The traditional view of video games has been that they are distractions from the task of learning” (Electronic Education Report 1). Video games are an effective tool for learning and retaining skills both inside and outside the classroom environment. The basic cycle of game play--the introduction to the game, game play, collaboration, improvement of these between each round, and evaluation at the end of the game (Klievink and Janssen 159)--are nearly parallel to the traditional classroom learning cycle of reading a textbook or listening to a lecture, taking a quiz, studying, focusing on items missed on the quiz, and taking a test or exam. Within this cycle, there are many opportunities to develop and perfect both educational, life, and occupational skills.

    Read More

  • Gaming: Video Games

    2452 Words  | 5 Pages

    Guarini, Drew. "9 Ways Video Games Can Actually Be Good For You." The Huffington Post.

    Read More

  • Benefits of Playing Video Games

    1776 Words  | 4 Pages

    "Video game play may provide learning, health, social benefits." American Psychological Association. February 2014, Vol 45, No. 2

    Read More

  • Do Video Games Make You Smarter

    784 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many people claim that playing video games is bad for you or that you’re just wasting your life. Well, Steve and I believe differently that videogames can actually make your life better. It could make you smarter, faster, effective, or even make your eyesight better. Games like ‘Call Of Duty’ or ‘Starcraft’ sometimes requires you to stare at the device of your choice for a long time, thinking that it would damage your eyes, but it’s not as bad as you think. We gamers play video games not just for the purpose of having fun, but for either keeping our mind off annoying/ depressing topics we usually hate talking about, or challenging our mind to think fast in some situations the game gives us, or just to play with friends we make online since some of us don’t interact with friends in real life as often as others.

    Read More

  • Is Video Games A Waste Of Time Essay

    1194 Words  | 3 Pages

    Video game have been claimed as addictive, a waste of time, and a distraction. While this does apply to some people, others have found the benefits to playing video games. These benefits include simulating working environments, helping people escape working environments, and giving great experiences. Although these benefits seems to be beneficial, it still stands that video games are a waste of time in which other things can be more productive.

    Read More

  • The Impact of Video Games on Children

    640 Words  | 2 Pages

    Over the years gaming has become a widely popular aspect of our culture. Kids and teenagers have replaced riding there bike or playing with dolls for video games that connect people together all over the globe .We have all been there at one point and time, there are games for just about anybody. Video games are for all age’s yes us adults love to play them to. Playing video games are fun but not a lot of people realize the impact video games can have on the body physically and mentally. Excessive playing of video games can cause decreased social skills, deterioration in health and increased aggressive behavior.

    Read More

More about Are Video Games Therapy?

Open Document