Apr 09, 2020 12:32:00

Psychologists claim that `` playing games '' is recommended to get happiness in the blockade measures by the new coronavirus

A growing number of countries are implementing blockade measures to limit people's access to curb the spread of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Meanwhile,

Brad Elfinstone , a lecturer at Psychology at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, and Steven Conway, a lecturer on games and interactions , said, `` I am happy to play games in a city blockade situation. Leads to '.

Time well spent, not wasted: video games are boosting well-being during the coronavirus lockdown
https://theconversation.com/time-well-spent-not-wasted-video-games-are-boosting-well-being-during-the-coronavirus-lockdown-135642

Australia has been implementing a phased blockade in response to COVID-19, banning entry from abroad in principle on March 20, 2020 and unnecessarily urgent domestic travel on March 22. Called not to . After that, pubs, clubs, gymnasiums, movie theaters and places of worship are closed from March 23, and from March 30 there are restrictions such as `` up to two people can gather in public places '' The blockade is gradually increasing.

According to Elfinstone and colleagues, sales of game consoles surged 285.6% during the week of March 16-22, when the first blockade measures were announced, and the “ DOOM Eternal ” and “ Azuma Animal Crossing ” Sales of other games also increased by 278.5%. A similar trend seems to be seen in the UK where lockdown is being carried out for three weeks from March 23, 'The trend of COVID-19 goes beyond toilet paper and obviously affects our shopping habits Elfinstone and colleagues point out.

Although the popularity of games has grown in recent years, even among adults, games are often viewed as children's play by non-enthusiastic players. Also, in an age where technology needs to be tracked and 'optimized' to track their behavior, 'even those who enjoy the game may feel guilty of not being' productive. '' Says Elfinstone and colleagues.

But Elfinstone and colleagues commented, 'We know that video games help meet basic psychological needs and are of great value to all ages.' Playing the game properly meets the three basic needs of '

self-determination theory .' The three basic needs in self-determination theory are:

◆ Autonomy: Feel that you have choices, act according to your values, and pursue meaningful goals.
◆ Competence: Feel the ability to overcome problems.
◆ Relationship: Have a real feeling that you are connected to others.

When these basic psychological needs are met, people feel happy and motivated, but the longer they wait at home due to blockade measures, the less psychological needs are met. For example, restricting unnecessarily going out reduces the range of options and impairs the sense of 'autonomy'. In addition, it becomes difficult to realize 'competence' through hobbies and work, and 'relationships' may be lost if you can not meet colleagues, friends and family.

'Video games can meet these needs and be the best way to spend time during the crisis,' Elfinstone and colleagues point out. Past

studies have shown that games give players choices, set meaningful goals, and promote player 'autonomy'. Also, a well-balanced game seems to be challenging and challenging to challenge with moderate difficulty.

In addition, the game helps maintain a 'relationship' by playing online with friends, cooperating with strangers, and communicating via chat. Players also know that they can feel connected with the characters in the game and the world of the game, and they build up `` relationship '' by caring for the characters in the game and `` autonomy '' is born from the motivation to help the character Elfinstone and colleagues believe that achieving their goals can help them feel 'competent.'

There were also opinions that playing too much games would be addictive, and it was also talked about the World Health Organization (WHO) classifying `` game addiction '' as a disease, but the risk of becoming a game addictive is for all gamers Some studies have found that it is only 1-3%. Elfinstone and colleagues say, 'If life in a blockade is boring you, consider playing games to meet basic psychological needs.' He insisted that people like the game.