Monday, September 1, 2008

Video Games on the Brain

The frontal lobe of the brain is the part of the brain involved in complex problem solving, or in other words the higher functioning part of the brain. This part of the brain is partially involved with emotions, but that is mainly the Limbic System(part of brain that controls emotions) and more specifically in the Amygdala. The reason I am posting about this is video games and television apparently put the frontal lobe into unconsciousness temporarily. This suggests that people who play video games will end up having more difficulty with problem solving.
Another issue is the fact that video games stimulate the Amygdala(used in recognition of fear and emotion but specifically fear). For people with mood disorders, high emotion functioning, anxiety disorders, etc. will get have difficulty after the game. This is because it continues to stimulate an already abnormally active part of the brain. This may make you feel good at the time but make emotions in other situations more severe. Think about something bad happening that is very small, with someone who plays video games and has an abnormal Limbic System. This could lead to an extremely abnormal reaction.
That is why video game playing needs to be monitored and why and how video games can effect abnormal brain structures. What do you think synapse for this essay?

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