Can Playing Video Games Make You More Creative? Hmm . . . .

By Meera Dolasia on November 9, 2011

The next time you are being told off for wasting time playing video games, inform your parents that you are merely trying to fire up your imagination and get your creative juices going. At least that's what a recent study performed by the University of Michigan, seems to have concluded.

Led by the University's professor of psychology, Linda Jackson, the study began with a survey of the technology use patterns of about 500, twelve-year olds. The middle-school students were then asked to take the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking, a standardized evaluation that involves tasks like drawing an interesting and exciting picture from a curved shape, giving it a title and then, creating a story around it.

What they discovered was that while the use of technology like phones and computers did not really do much for the kids, those that played video games on a regular basis, seemed to be more creative, regardless of gender and the amount of time spent on playing.

The researchers are hoping that the results of the study will encourage game developers to figure out which part of the games foster creativity and help them create new games that will encourage the creative aspect and, be entertaining.

Of course, like everything else the results should be taken with a pinch of salt given that a very small sub-section of kids were involved. Also, anything in excess, even video games cannot be that good for you. Having said that it does help to know that even experts believe that this so-called frivolous activity is not a complete waste of time!

Resource: eurekaalter.org

732 Comments
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  • dogsome54
    5/14/2013
    i like black ops 2 and minecraft pe
    • Joe boxers5/14/2013
      I love minecraft
      • dejai
        5/14/2013
        i like minecraft but i think roblox is the best
        • batontwirler
          5/13/2013
          I love video games! They are so addicting! Minecraft is by far the best! I defiantly will be showing this article to my parents!
          • fatboy69_lol5/13/2013
            this is true plz let us play more vid games plz plz plz it helps us lern how to kill on gun games yay!:3
            • dragondude
              5/11/2013
              I have the PC mode it is really fun
              • dragondude
                5/11/2013
                minecraft
                • yodude90
                  5/10/2013
                  i looooooooove minecraftttttttttttt.i play minecraft for well i have been timming myself and it was134 hours each week
                  • beenjameen
                    5/10/2013
                    I have a xbox360
                    • jeff hardy5/6/2013
                      i have a wii ps2 psp i play for at least 6 hours non stop

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