Videogames help women develop spatial skills
University of Toronto researchers have discovered that differences between men and women on some tasks that require spatial skills are largely eliminated after both groups play a video game for only a few hours. The research, to be published in the October issue of Psychological Science, suggests that a new approach involving action video games can be used to improve spatial skills that are essential for everyday activities such as reading a map, driving a car, assembling a barbeque or learning advanced math.
This may seem like a breakthrough study suggesting that sunbathing may lead to tanning, but frankly, it’s kind of nice to see the system addressed. As a kid who pined for Transformers and got My Little Ponies instead, (no, that’s not what my name is based on), I can attest that the first time I was able to play a First-Person game I could actually feel my ability to think spatially improve. It was tremendous. And not to diss on the My Little Ponies, but there’s only so much you can learn from braiding a horse’s tail.
It would be interesting to know what “action” games the women were asked to play. FPSes? Platformers? Tetris? (not really an action game, but pretty heavy on the spatial stuff).
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:35 am
Grr. I remember reading about this study elsewhere, and I could have sworn that the article where I read about it mentioned the game, but now I can’t find it anywhere. I vaguely recall it being an FPS, possibly a World War II FPS like Call of Duty or Medal of Honor. Still, the fact that I can’t find where I read it makes me inclined to think that I’m just misremembering. I guess I’ll have to wait for my October issue of Psychological Science to arrive.
My parents let me have Transformers AND My Little Ponies. I had a nice collection of both. But no G.I. Joe, because it was too violent.
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:53 pm
I never knew that there was any differences between the genders when it comes to spatial skills. I guess that I have to look at things like this a little more.
I also wondered what “action” games the women played. (scratching my head)
October 4th, 2007 at 9:37 am
I like how assembling a barbecue and learning advanced math are considered “everyday” activities. As opposed to things you do every day, like, say, playing video games.
October 4th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Ha! Good point!
October 5th, 2007 at 12:33 am
Well, this will be a nice one to chuck in the face of the next person who gets all scandalized at the fact that my husband and I let our daughter play so many video games.
(Though why these folks insist on getting scandalized over the fact that I’m letting her play video games after her homework is done is beyond me.)
October 5th, 2007 at 7:09 am
Well, it’s pretty well established that if it’s not one thing, people will hunt for another thing to be scandalized about.
“You let your daughter drink apple juice?!?! It will make her fat!!!!”
October 5th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
I know many a game helped me develop my own skills and if this helps kids; then why not? I remember flight simulators being a great educational tool…learned to understand speed, distance height, compass headings, fuel consumption rates, etc. Plus it was fun!