In order to further my understanding and knowledge on the subject of gaming addiction I have gathered research from six additional secondary sources. The sources are numbered based on the order that they appear on the reference page. According to research, approximately 8.5% of children in the United States who play video games are addicted. Those numbers were similar when tested worldwide. Addiction is defined by source one as not being able to stop, even when faced with dire consequences. Addiction also means feeling withdrawal symptoms when you stop doing whatever it is you are addicted to. If you are playing video games so much that you are not participating in normal life activities, then you are in danger of gaming addiction and need
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Why do people become addicted to video games? What makes them different from television or ping pong? Source four explains that achievement or success in a video game activates pleasure centers in the subject’s brain, causing the subject to want to continue having those feelings and continue playing. Source one further elaborates on this idea. It explains that most video games have some sort rank/reward system, such as bonus items, in game currency, or a rank on some form of a ladder/standings chart. In game reward is what keeps people engaged in the game. The rewards trigger the release of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is the chemical in the brain which causes you to feel joy and pleasure. Dopamine is released in the brain when you have success, do good things or have enjoyable experiences. It is also released when you solve a problem using your own wit. Video games trick the brain into releasing dopamine by making you believe you have solved a problem or have done something good for yourself. This theory is also supported by psychologist Mark Griffiths in source two. Mark Griffiths is a chartered psychologist and director of the International Gaming Research Unit at Nottingham Trent University. He agrees with the idea that the root cause of gaming addiction is being constantly rewarded while playing the game. He explains that the idea that a gamer could be rewarded again within the next few minutes is what drives them to keep on playing. The …show more content…
Before conducting any research on this topic I hypothesized that gaming addiction is a very serious disorder as it displays similarities to drug and alcohol addiction and can have extremely serious consequences. Through my research and interview I have confirmed my hypothesis. Video games act like drugs, tricking the brain into releasing dopamine, the chemical in the brain which causes the subject to feel pleasure. The subject is continuously rewarded while playing the videogame, giving a “high”. When the subject stops playing the high wears off and the subject experiences withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, anger, and more. Gaming addicts develop a “Hyperconnected” brain, which processes at an extremely fast rate. These hyperconnected brains require constant stimulation and will limit the ability to control impulses. Hyperconnected brains are also extremely prone to developing ADHD and other attention disorders. Gaming addiction can have serious physical consequences as well, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, backaches, and dry eyes. It has also been linked to social awkwardness, anti-social habits, poor performance at work or in school, mood swings, depression, and anxiety. I interviewed a pediatric
Why do people become addicted to video games? What makes them different from television or ping pong? Source four explains that achievement or success in a video game activates pleasure centers in the subject’s brain, causing the subject to want to continue having those feelings and continue playing. Source one further elaborates on this idea. It explains that most video games have some sort rank/reward system, such as bonus items, in game currency, or a rank on some form of a ladder/standings chart. In game reward is what keeps people engaged in the game. The rewards trigger the release of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is the chemical in the brain which causes you to feel joy and pleasure. Dopamine is released in the brain when you have success, do good things or have enjoyable experiences. It is also released when you solve a problem using your own wit. Video games trick the brain into releasing dopamine by making you believe you have solved a problem or have done something good for yourself. This theory is also supported by psychologist Mark Griffiths in source two. Mark Griffiths is a chartered psychologist and director of the International Gaming Research Unit at Nottingham Trent University. He agrees with the idea that the root cause of gaming addiction is being constantly rewarded while playing the game. He explains that the idea that a gamer could be rewarded again within the next few minutes is what drives them to keep on playing. The …show more content…
Before conducting any research on this topic I hypothesized that gaming addiction is a very serious disorder as it displays similarities to drug and alcohol addiction and can have extremely serious consequences. Through my research and interview I have confirmed my hypothesis. Video games act like drugs, tricking the brain into releasing dopamine, the chemical in the brain which causes the subject to feel pleasure. The subject is continuously rewarded while playing the videogame, giving a “high”. When the subject stops playing the high wears off and the subject experiences withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, anger, and more. Gaming addicts develop a “Hyperconnected” brain, which processes at an extremely fast rate. These hyperconnected brains require constant stimulation and will limit the ability to control impulses. Hyperconnected brains are also extremely prone to developing ADHD and other attention disorders. Gaming addiction can have serious physical consequences as well, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, backaches, and dry eyes. It has also been linked to social awkwardness, anti-social habits, poor performance at work or in school, mood swings, depression, and anxiety. I interviewed a pediatric