it never occurred to me to do a search on scientific studies done on video games... so i did one today. i cut and paste the abstracts (i.e. summary) of a few of these articles (the recent ones). i just did a search on "video game".
1.
Title: Needs met through computer game play among adolescents
Colwell J
Source: PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 43 (8): 2072-2082 DEC 2007
Abstract: Despite much research on video/computer game play, especially the relationship between such play and aggression, little attention has been directed at needs met through play. The aim of the present study was to extend Selnow's (1984) needs' scale, and to identify individual differences in needs among adolescents. Focus groups were conducted, followed by a content analysis, and items corresponding to emerging themes were added to reasons identified in previous research for use in a quantitative survey. Four factors emerged from a factor analysis of the results; 'companionship', 'prefer to friends', 'fun challenge', and 'stress relief', and these, with the exception of 'companionship', were found to be significant predictors of play. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
2.
Title: Impact of singular excessive computer game and television exposure on sleep patterns and memory performance of school-aged children
Source: PEDIATRICS 120 (5): 978-985 NOV 2007
Abstract: OBJECTIVE. Television and computer game consumption are a powerful influence in the lives of most children. Previous evidence has supported the notion that media exposure could impair a variety of behavioral characteristics. Excessive television viewing and computer game playing have been associated with many psychiatric symptoms, especially emotional and behavioral symptoms, somatic complaints, attention problems such as hyperactivity, and family interaction problems. Nevertheless, there is insufficient knowledge about the relationship between singular excessive media consumption on sleep patterns and linked implications on children. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of singular excessive television and computer game consumption on sleep patterns and memory performance of children.
METHODS. Eleven school-aged children were recruited for this polysomnographic study. Children were exposed to voluntary excessive television and computer game consumption. In the subsequent night, polysomnographic measurements were conducted to measure sleep-architecture and sleep-continuity parameters. In addition, a visual and verbal memory test was conducted before media stimulation and after the subsequent sleeping period to determine visuospatial and verbal memory performance.
RESULTS. Only computer game playing resulted in significant reduced amounts of slow-wave sleep as well as significant declines in verbal memory performance. Prolonged sleep-onset latency and more stage 2 sleep were also detected after previous computer game consumption. No effects on rapid eye movement sleep were observed. Television viewing reduced sleep efficiency significantly but did not affect sleep patterns.
CONCLUSIONS. The results suggest that television and computer game exposure affect children's sleep and deteriorate verbal cognitive performance, which supports the hypothesis of the negative influence of media consumption on children's sleep, learning, and memory.
3.
Title: The good, the bad and the ugly: A meta-analytic review of positive and negative effects of violent video games
Source: PSYCHIATRIC QUARTERLY 78 (4): 309-316 DEC 2007
Document Type: Review
Language: English
Abstract: Objective Video game violence has become a highly politicized issue for scientists and the general public. There is continuing concern that playing violent video games may increase the risk of aggression in players. Less often discussed is the possibility that playing violent video games may promote certain positive developments, particularly related to visuospatial cognition. The objective of the current article was to conduct a meta-analytic review of studies that examine the impact of violent video games on both aggressive behavior and visuospatial cognition in order to understand the full impact of such games.
Methods A detailed literature search was used to identify peer-reviewed articles addressing violent video game effects. Effect sizes r (a common measure of effect size based on the correlational coefficient) were calculated for all included studies. Effect sizes were adjusted for observed publication bias.
Results: Results indicated that publication bias was a problem for studies of both aggressive behavior and visuospatial cognition. Once corrected for publication bias, studies of video game violence provided no support for the hypothesis that violent video game playing is associated with higher aggression. However playing violent video games remained related to higher visuospatial cognition (r(x) = 0.36).
Conclusions Results from the current analysis did not support the conclusion that violent video game playing leads to aggressive behavior. However, violent video game playing was associated with higher visuospatial cognition. It may be advisable to reframe the violent video game debate in reference to potential costs and benefits of this medium.
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The 3rd reference (and I underlined the punch-line) is likely the most relevent for us. Feel free to link to this thread when talking about Thompson.
