Games make u smarter!!?

Do you think certain PC games can promote and enhance your IQ and mental dexterity? There is a game made by nintendo which is kinda proven to enhance iq - I believe it's called brainAge, are there any similar games on PC?

 

I fail to see how a game would increase an IQ, when measurements to take an IQ rely on logic, general knowledge, math/English skills, etc.

 

I haven't personally tried the game, but from the screenshots, it looks like there are some types of math question or puzzles you have to answer within sec. And since alot of iq tests have a tight time limit, so I guess this is one possible way to suggest it may enhance mental dexterity?? Quicker, yet accurate, thinking is accepted as part of the everyday notion of intelligence.

But what I am alittle iffy on how representative the game performance is to real life. People may be able to instantly calculate the product of two 3-digit numbers with enough pratice of a proven method, but it doesn't mean s/he can solve a complex real-life problem... I don't know, some Japanese docs actually use that game to halt progression in alzheimer's patients, similarly, Chinese docs are trying to use Maj Jong for similar objectives, pretty intriguing I have to say.

 

I think that some slight gaming will have benefits to someones intelligence and reactions, but definitely not the many hours people are currently spending on games like World of Warcraft grinding or Counter Strike 'pwning'.
It's like wine, which benefits your health if you drink about 1 wine glass a day, but it will damage your health instead if you go far beyond that limit.

 

Well, i play a lot of Strategy Games.. somehow it enhances my ability in board games... but in studies.. no effect tat i know...

 

Gaming is a waste of time and space...now please excuse me whilst i go back to playing F.E.A.R

When i was younger (back in the days of having to use a boot up disk just to be able to play the original FIFA international soccer on my 486-33mhz pc ) i used to try and convince my parents that it improved my concentration and intelligence...they never bought that...

 

I just have read that playing FPS makes your brain actually more active while processing visual information. A recent research showed that people who played 30 hours of Unreal had 20% better results in finding some particular letter in a picture with a lot of random letters scattered around. People who played Tetris didn't show any improvement.

I also read that people who played FPS have a better 3d space navigation in a real life. Driving a car, walking in a crowd, maze etc...

So I expect that some strategy and tactics games can make you more intelligent in a way.

Cheers,

Ivan

 

All I know is that my gut tells me maybe.

 

Does it help me with my degree? No. Hand eye coordination? Not particular as I still can't catch

I think all I learn from games are the games specifically - what to do, the controls and how to win. That's it.

As for "educational games" - in my opinion, they didn't serve any purpose at primary school (elementary for you Yanks I think ), they were just an excuse to doss or created that mindset. I think it was better to have the focus of a normal lesson

Although I do find suggestions that processing and/or extracting data from visual information may be improved from playing certain games, e.g. FPS, interesting

 

The first time I learned how to drive years back, I drove well by myself w/o any help. I know this is probably common though (where you don't have a teacher, parent, etc to help guide you). But I think I learned how to drive well from playing that Daytona USA (called something USA) game or something in the arcarde all the time during my childhood.

 

Actually i'd have to agree..my cousin loves his racing games and picked a lot of stuff from playing them...he says it helped it quite a lot when he started learning and more now when he gets up to no good

 

I don't think games (FPS I'm thinking about) significantly make you more intelligent. I do think people are more alert/active during and after playing games, so they make tests with a more active brain. This effect will not last for days or longer, maybe only for an hour. That's what I believe.

Yes, I agree on this. From racing games, if played with a steering wheel, you learn movements and reactions of cars. This way you are more prepared if you choose to take driving lessons

 

Too bad you can't follow the racing line on the street, because you'd cut into the opposite lane. I always follow the racing line on my bike though...

Multiplayer FPS games develop logic and promote decision making.

They're also fun, which is what I consider the most important, because ultimately, even intelligence itself is only a means to achieve success, wealth, and hypothetical happiness. I'm only living 90 years, so I might as well squeeze as much enjoyment out of it as possible.

 

There are a lot of similar games on the internet, try a Google search.

 

Thats why i say more prepared

 

I should start driving a semi, then I'd have an excuse for following the racing line.

 

It helps reflexes!!!

And Old-school games like tetris helps your logic !

 

Same thing here... You just are more alert when playing a FPS, i think you brains will be more active @ that point, but it fades away when you stop.. Same with adrenaline, works when doing something exciting but fades away after that...

Would be nice when it were true though, Would love gaming @ school

 

Civ IV gives you a significant edge in certain history classes and when watching jeopardy

 

dats true...
I've learned a lot from playing games.
Especially the english language (I'm Danish).
And if you just learn from what you do (like me), you'll get pro no matter what you do.
BUT there are many n00bs, who can make the same mistake over and over, and never learn a thing.
Poor n00bs.

 

Playing Gran Turismo has definitely helped my performance driving skills. But as far as raising your IQ? Not sure. Brain Age might do something like that, but I've never seen any hard evidence, so I'm inclined to not jump to conclusions.

 

http://www.mwsearch.com/anti-aginggame.html this article, with references, sums up many points being mentioned in this thread.

 

My opinion is that everything is good in moderation. I always argue that playing games is much better than watching TV though. I don't know if it will raise your IQ, but it is a much more active experience. Especially if you are playing strategy games.

 

Another article:
http://www.apa.org/monitor/feb07/yourbrain.html

Basically, it improves visual scanning, reflexes, and helps you ignore distractions.



And I learned a lot about history from Age of Empires. lol