Post: Video Games - An Addiction?
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03-26-2012, 10:24 PM
#1
Pichu
PICHU.
PICHU.
Please take the time to read the whole article, I know it is about 3 years old but it is a decent article. If you wish not to read then here are some of the main points to it...
Originally posted by another user
The definition of addiction is murky. In fact, many psychologists prefer the term "pathological use" for excessive consumption of drugs, alcohol and other stuff.
By that fancier definition, about 8.5 percent of youth age 8 to 18 who play You must login or register to view this content. games look to be what most of us would call addicted, a new study finds.
By that fancier definition, about 8.5 percent of youth age 8 to 18 who play You must login or register to view this content. games look to be what most of us would call addicted, a new study finds.
Originally posted by another user
"What we mean by You must login or register to view this content. is that something someone is doing — in this case, playing video games — is damaging to their functioning," Gentile said. "It's not simply doing it a lot. It has to You must login or register to view this content. in multiple ways."Gentile compared the 2007 Harris Poll survey to standards and symptoms established for pathological gambling — causing family, social, school or psychological damage because of their video game playing habits. Gamers were classified as "pathological" if they exhibited at least six of 11 symptoms.
The You must login or register to view this content. in the study played video games 24 hours per week, about twice as much as non-pathological gamers. They also were more likely to have video game systems in their bedrooms, reported having more trouble paying attention in school, received poorer grades in school, had more health problems, were more likely to feel "addicted," and even stole to support their habit.
The study also found that pathological gamers were twice as likely to have been diagnosed with attention problems such as Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The You must login or register to view this content. in the study played video games 24 hours per week, about twice as much as non-pathological gamers. They also were more likely to have video game systems in their bedrooms, reported having more trouble paying attention in school, received poorer grades in school, had more health problems, were more likely to feel "addicted," and even stole to support their habit.
The study also found that pathological gamers were twice as likely to have been diagnosed with attention problems such as Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Originally posted by another user
"I started studying video game addiction in 1999 largely because I didn't believe in it," said Gentile, who is co-author of "Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents: Theory, Research, and Public Policy" (2007, Oxford University Press). "I assumed that parents called it 'addiction' because they didn't understand why their children spent so much time playing. So I measured the way you measure pathological gambling and the way it harms functioning, and was surprised to find that a substantial number of gamers do rise to that level (of pathological addiction)."Now he's calling for more research to figure out how to treat the condition.
"There is still much we do not know," Gentile said. "We don't know who's most at risk, or whether this is part of a pattern of disorders. That's important because many disorders are co-morbid with others. It may be a symptom of depression, for example. And so we would want to understand that pattern of co-morbidity because that would help us know how to treat it."
"There is still much we do not know," Gentile said. "We don't know who's most at risk, or whether this is part of a pattern of disorders. That's important because many disorders are co-morbid with others. It may be a symptom of depression, for example. And so we would want to understand that pattern of co-morbidity because that would help us know how to treat it."
03-27-2012, 11:13 AM
#2
mattman6396
Do a barrel roll!
I actually just presented my project about the harmful effects of video game addiction yesterday. From the research that I did, I can say a few things.
First of all, it is important to understand that a relatively small amount of people (relative to the amount of people that play video games) ever actually become "addicted" to video games. As you quoted in the original post, 8.5% doesn't sound like a lot of people. Well actually, out of a population of 45,000,000 gamers, 8.5% is really 3,000,000 people. Forget percentages, 3,000,000 people is quite a lot of people.
Secondly, video game addiction is different from other addictions (such as drugs or alcohol). With smoking, for example, every single person that ever smokes a cigarette will become addicted to the nicotine in the cigarette, that is simply how nicotine works (to my understanding at least). One can't simply call a gamer addicted because they spend 4 hours every day of the week playing video games, because that is not true. Just as someone that only plays 1 hour a day can still be considered addicted. To measure someone's addiction, the signs are in their behavior, not in the amount of time spent playing.
A large portion of my project was based upon personal experience. Sounding over-dramatic is the last thing that I want to do, but back about a year ago, I would consider myself addicted to Call of Duty (Black Ops at the time). Ever since I had started playing Call of Duty, I noticed a decrease in my grades. They were high, but not as good as I was used to get. However, I was never sure if it was Call of Duty causing it, or starting to play Call of Duty around the same time was a mere coincidence. Now, looking back, I realize the massive amounts of time that I wasted playing video games, when I could have been studying or really anything more productive.
To sum up, let me just say that video games will not harm everyone that plays them. It is that when a gamer starts to abuse the game, and create a habit of playing it, that can cause some harmful effects. I would list a few of these effects, but I'm short on time now.
First of all, it is important to understand that a relatively small amount of people (relative to the amount of people that play video games) ever actually become "addicted" to video games. As you quoted in the original post, 8.5% doesn't sound like a lot of people. Well actually, out of a population of 45,000,000 gamers, 8.5% is really 3,000,000 people. Forget percentages, 3,000,000 people is quite a lot of people.
Secondly, video game addiction is different from other addictions (such as drugs or alcohol). With smoking, for example, every single person that ever smokes a cigarette will become addicted to the nicotine in the cigarette, that is simply how nicotine works (to my understanding at least). One can't simply call a gamer addicted because they spend 4 hours every day of the week playing video games, because that is not true. Just as someone that only plays 1 hour a day can still be considered addicted. To measure someone's addiction, the signs are in their behavior, not in the amount of time spent playing.
A large portion of my project was based upon personal experience. Sounding over-dramatic is the last thing that I want to do, but back about a year ago, I would consider myself addicted to Call of Duty (Black Ops at the time). Ever since I had started playing Call of Duty, I noticed a decrease in my grades. They were high, but not as good as I was used to get. However, I was never sure if it was Call of Duty causing it, or starting to play Call of Duty around the same time was a mere coincidence. Now, looking back, I realize the massive amounts of time that I wasted playing video games, when I could have been studying or really anything more productive.
To sum up, let me just say that video games will not harm everyone that plays them. It is that when a gamer starts to abuse the game, and create a habit of playing it, that can cause some harmful effects. I would list a few of these effects, but I'm short on time now.
03-27-2012, 02:34 PM
#3
Chaz
Tremble Underfoot
I would say it's an addiction. To a certain level of course. I love to play video games, as it is my anti-drug. I play
when I'm upset or bored, and it relaxes me. I can admit I'm probably a video game addict, because I know there
are times when I put something off to play a video game. Its like an urge you get to play, and you can't help
it until you actually play and that urge is subdued. People always say that they can quit their addiction if they wanted
to, but video game addiction is different. It's so easily accessible nowadays.
when I'm upset or bored, and it relaxes me. I can admit I'm probably a video game addict, because I know there
are times when I put something off to play a video game. Its like an urge you get to play, and you can't help
it until you actually play and that urge is subdued. People always say that they can quit their addiction if they wanted
to, but video game addiction is different. It's so easily accessible nowadays.
03-27-2012, 06:34 PM
#4
mattman6396
Do a barrel roll!
Originally posted by Chaz
I would say it's an addiction. To a certain level of course. I love to play video games, as it is my anti-drug. I play
when I'm upset or bored, and it relaxes me. I can admit I'm probably a video game addict, because I know there
are times when I put something off to play a video game. Its like an urge you get to play, and you can't help
it until you actually play and that urge is subdued. People always say that they can quit their addiction if they wanted
to, but video game addiction is different. It's so easily accessible nowadays.
when I'm upset or bored, and it relaxes me. I can admit I'm probably a video game addict, because I know there
are times when I put something off to play a video game. Its like an urge you get to play, and you can't help
it until you actually play and that urge is subdued. People always say that they can quit their addiction if they wanted
to, but video game addiction is different. It's so easily accessible nowadays.
Did you ever notice a decrease (or increase) in grades? Assuming your in school. If you aren't, did you ever notice any sort of negative effects of playing to much? I know you mentioned putting things off, meaning schoolwork or chores completely unrelated to school (again, if you're in school)? I apologize for swarming you with questions, I'm just curious to see if anyone else ever felt what I felt.
03-27-2012, 07:13 PM
#5
Chaz
Tremble Underfoot
Originally posted by mattman6396
Did you ever notice a decrease (or increase) in grades? Assuming your in school. If you aren't, did you ever notice any sort of negative effects of playing to much? I know you mentioned putting things off, meaning schoolwork or chores completely unrelated to school (again, if you're in school)? I apologize for swarming you with questions, I'm just curious to see if anyone else ever felt what I felt.
No its no problem at all :p Ask away.
I've seen decreases in grades. I'm able to do my homework and what not when I really put all my effort into it, but
video games take superiority. Sometimes I can't explain it, and I get carried away with video games. Other times I
blatantly say "fuck my homework" and go and do something else, whether it be video games or not :p
03-27-2012, 08:11 PM
#6
El Violador
< ^ > < ^ >
I don't think it's much of an addiction. I believe it's just ways that people spend their time, such as the people who spend hours on homework (of course that's a much better habit.) I think that the ADD and trouble paying attention is just the opposite. That people move towards video games as they tend to not get boring and can actually keep the attention of these people. As for decreases in grades; it's just based on how responsible people are. It's just a coincidence that video games can cause you to lose track of time, or want to procrastinate. But wouldn't if you were having that much fun?
03-28-2012, 12:40 AM
#7
Pichu
PICHU.
PICHU.
Originally posted by mattman6396
I actually just presented my project about the harmful effects of video game addiction yesterday. From the research that I did, I can say a few things.
First of all, it is important to understand that a relatively small amount of people (relative to the amount of people that play video games) ever actually become "addicted" to video games. As you quoted in the original post, 8.5% doesn't sound like a lot of people. Well actually, out of a population of 45,000,000 gamers, 8.5% is really 3,000,000 people. Forget percentages, 3,000,000 people is quite a lot of people.
Secondly, video game addiction is different from other addictions (such as drugs or alcohol). With smoking, for example, every single person that ever smokes a cigarette will become addicted to the nicotine in the cigarette, that is simply how nicotine works (to my understanding at least). One can't simply call a gamer addicted because they spend 4 hours every day of the week playing video games, because that is not true. Just as someone that only plays 1 hour a day can still be considered addicted. To measure someone's addiction, the signs are in their behavior, not in the amount of time spent playing.
A large portion of my project was based upon personal experience. Sounding over-dramatic is the last thing that I want to do, but back about a year ago, I would consider myself addicted to Call of Duty (Black Ops at the time). Ever since I had started playing Call of Duty, I noticed a decrease in my grades. They were high, but not as good as I was used to get. However, I was never sure if it was Call of Duty causing it, or starting to play Call of Duty around the same time was a mere coincidence. Now, looking back, I realize the massive amounts of time that I wasted playing video games, when I could have been studying or really anything more productive.
To sum up, let me just say that video games will not harm everyone that plays them. It is that when a gamer starts to abuse the game, and create a habit of playing it, that can cause some harmful effects. I would list a few of these effects, but I'm short on time now.
First of all, it is important to understand that a relatively small amount of people (relative to the amount of people that play video games) ever actually become "addicted" to video games. As you quoted in the original post, 8.5% doesn't sound like a lot of people. Well actually, out of a population of 45,000,000 gamers, 8.5% is really 3,000,000 people. Forget percentages, 3,000,000 people is quite a lot of people.
Secondly, video game addiction is different from other addictions (such as drugs or alcohol). With smoking, for example, every single person that ever smokes a cigarette will become addicted to the nicotine in the cigarette, that is simply how nicotine works (to my understanding at least). One can't simply call a gamer addicted because they spend 4 hours every day of the week playing video games, because that is not true. Just as someone that only plays 1 hour a day can still be considered addicted. To measure someone's addiction, the signs are in their behavior, not in the amount of time spent playing.
A large portion of my project was based upon personal experience. Sounding over-dramatic is the last thing that I want to do, but back about a year ago, I would consider myself addicted to Call of Duty (Black Ops at the time). Ever since I had started playing Call of Duty, I noticed a decrease in my grades. They were high, but not as good as I was used to get. However, I was never sure if it was Call of Duty causing it, or starting to play Call of Duty around the same time was a mere coincidence. Now, looking back, I realize the massive amounts of time that I wasted playing video games, when I could have been studying or really anything more productive.
To sum up, let me just say that video games will not harm everyone that plays them. It is that when a gamer starts to abuse the game, and create a habit of playing it, that can cause some harmful effects. I would list a few of these effects, but I'm short on time now.
As you would know, an addiction is
Originally posted by another user
the continued use of a mood altering substance or behaviour despite adverse consequences
This would mean that even 1 hour a day can be an addiction if that hour meets the criteria of the definition.
---
Also, to nicotine. You at first become addicted to the high that the nicotine produces, then you lose the high and the withdraw begins so you start smoking more to kill that feeling.
Pretty shitty really.
03-28-2012, 02:11 AM
#8
M.Mac
Lacrosse<3
Anything can be an addiction as crazy as this sounds going for a walk in parks can be an addiction. Its all a mental mind set. Me personally im kinda addicted to lacrosse I play ever day i try to even play in the winter, and when I dont I kinda feel like the day was wasted. But i dont think gaming would damage functions of your daily like or learning/thinking.
03-28-2012, 04:06 AM
#9
Rath
Today Will Be Different
I can see the valid point about video games being an addiction. But at the same time I don't see it as an addiction. I say that because there is no real physical dependency or mental dependency where you need to get "your fix" from video games. I just see it as another way for people to entertain themselves... for example most people find reading a book enjoyable and entertaining... would they be addicted to reading?
I'd like to ask Gentile who the control group was.. because I know a lot of people who are diehard gamers like myself who don't have to "steal" to get games. I pay for my games with my own money. I also don't have any problems at school, the only time I do bad is when I don't do my homework because I'm out at a friends house or at a party. But rather when I'm home I actually do my homework and manage to play video games.
In my opinion it's not an addiction. It's solely based on the gamer's personality and their current mental health. That's just from my observations and I'm also not a psychologist or sociologist, but I have taken sociology and did an experiment in sociology but that still doesn't make me a professional :p
I'd like to ask Gentile who the control group was.. because I know a lot of people who are diehard gamers like myself who don't have to "steal" to get games. I pay for my games with my own money. I also don't have any problems at school, the only time I do bad is when I don't do my homework because I'm out at a friends house or at a party. But rather when I'm home I actually do my homework and manage to play video games.
In my opinion it's not an addiction. It's solely based on the gamer's personality and their current mental health. That's just from my observations and I'm also not a psychologist or sociologist, but I have taken sociology and did an experiment in sociology but that still doesn't make me a professional :p
The following user thanked Rath for this useful post:
03-28-2012, 04:26 AM
#10
Pichu
PICHU.
PICHU.
Originally posted by RathHavoc
I can see the valid point about video games being an addiction. But at the same time I don't see it as an addiction. I say that because there is no real physical dependency or mental dependency where you need to get "your fix" from video games. I just see it as another way for people to entertain themselves... for example most people find reading a book enjoyable and entertaining... would they be addicted to reading?
I'd like to ask Gentile who the control group was.. because I know a lot of people who are diehard gamers like myself who don't have to "steal" to get games. I pay for my games with my own money. I also don't have any problems at school, the only time I do bad is when I don't do my homework because I'm out at a friends house or at a party. But rather when I'm home I actually do my homework and manage to play video games.
In my opinion it's not an addiction. It's solely based on the gamer's personality and their current mental health. That's just from my observations and I'm also not a psychologist or sociologist, but I have taken sociology and did an experiment in sociology but that still doesn't make me a professional :p
I'd like to ask Gentile who the control group was.. because I know a lot of people who are diehard gamers like myself who don't have to "steal" to get games. I pay for my games with my own money. I also don't have any problems at school, the only time I do bad is when I don't do my homework because I'm out at a friends house or at a party. But rather when I'm home I actually do my homework and manage to play video games.
In my opinion it's not an addiction. It's solely based on the gamer's personality and their current mental health. That's just from my observations and I'm also not a psychologist or sociologist, but I have taken sociology and did an experiment in sociology but that still doesn't make me a professional :p
Not everyone is going to be addicted. If you read the definition of addiction, if you exhibit the definition of addiction with video games, then you are addicted.
It can start out as a bad habit and then become an addiction. I for one can say, I was addicted to video games. Am I now, no. I however can say that when I start playing it and playing it and get lazy with it, then I redevelop an addiction to video games and my grades and such start dropping.
I am the type of person, being as smart as I am, that has problems with games. Because of my past and issues with games and knowing that I can slip if I start playing them too much, it is the reason why I will be putting my PS3 away for when I go to college.
My mind starts thinking, maybe an extra hour won't hurt...
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