General Problem-Solving Styles and Problem-Solving Approaches in Video Games

2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla R. Hamlen
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Video Games ◽  
General Problem ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Video Game Play ◽  
Educational Video Game

Video game play is a pervasive recreational activity, particularly among college students. While there is a large research base focused on educational video game play and uses of games in the classroom, there is much less research focused on cognitive strategies and entertainment video game play. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential relationships between general problem-solving styles and problem-solving approaches in video games. One hundred and thirty-eight undergraduate college students completed online surveys about their video game play and also an assessment of general problem-solving style. A multivariate linear regression revealed relationships between general problem-solving styles and problem-solving preferences in video games, with a few differences when looking at specific genres of games. This study provides evidence that approaches to video game play can be a reflection of real-life problem-solving styles.

The Relationship between Student Learning Styles and Motivation during Educational Video Game Play

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 63-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Findley
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Educational Video ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Educational Video Games ◽  
Video Game Play ◽  
Educational Video Game ◽  
Student Learning Styles

Educational video games allow for a level of intrinsic motivation and engagement that is not found in other forms of learning. This study determines if students found educational video game play to be a motivating experience and if a relationship existed between student learning styles and levels of motivation. High school psychology students played two short online educational video games and, upon completion of the activity, their intrinsic motivation levels were determined using an evaluation questionnaire. The data, as determined by the evaluation questionnaire, revealed that students found playing educational video games to be intrinsically motivating. Further examination revealed no statistically significant differences between the student learning styles and the motivation experienced during educational video game play.

The Relationship between Student Learning Styles and Motivation during Educational Video Game Play

2013 ◽  
pp. 276-287
Author(s):  
Michael R. Findley
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Educational Video ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Educational Video Games ◽  
Video Game Play ◽  
Educational Video Game ◽  
Student Learning Styles

Educational video games allow for a level of intrinsic motivation and engagement that is not found in other forms of learning. This study determines if students found educational video game play to be a motivating experience and if a relationship existed between student learning styles and levels of motivation. High school psychology students played two short online educational video games and, upon completion of the activity, their intrinsic motivation levels were determined using an evaluation questionnaire. The data, as determined by the evaluation questionnaire, revealed that students found playing educational video games to be intrinsically motivating. Further examination revealed no statistically significant differences between the student learning styles and the motivation experienced during educational video game play.

Understanding Children’s Choices and Cognition in Video Game Play

2013 ◽  
Vol 221 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla R. Hamlen
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
Learning Preferences ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Video Game Play ◽  
Mental Stimulation

This article provides a synthesis of a group of research studies conducted to better understand in what ways children’s entertainment video game play choices relate to their creativity, motivations, problem-solving strategies, learning preferences, and beliefs about how to play games. Three studies were conducted among American students: (1) a survey and creativity assessment with students aged 9–11, (2) an in-depth qualitative study with three adolescent boys, and (3) an online survey. Key findings from this research relate to both psychological factors motivating video game play, and cognition and choices children make while playing video games. Results from these studies demonstrate that, despite assumptions that children play video games to avoid mental stimulation, children are actually motivated by the challenge and thinking required by video games. The reward system used in video games is a strong continuing motivator for boys in particular. Among both genders, playing certain genres of video games is related to utilizing particular learning strategies. Additionally, though creativity does not appear to be hindered by video game play, the most creative children are generally not choosing to spend their time on video games. Finally, children create their own code of conduct and ethics within video game play, although an individual’s work ethic within video games tends to reflect patterns in other areas of life. Collectively, these studies provide a rich picture of children’s video game play and show consistency, both between game contexts and real life choices, and with other literature related to children’s motivations and strategies for learning.

scholarly journals Considerations for comparing video-game AI agents with humans

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R Madan
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Complex Action ◽  
Potential Approach ◽  
Video Game Play ◽  
Game Ai ◽  
Strategy Games ◽  
Action Sequences

Video games are sometimes used as environments to evaluate AI agents' ability to develop and execute complex action sequences to maximize a defined reward. However, humans cannot match the fine precision of timed actions of AI agents--in games such as StarCraft, build orders take the place of chess opening gambits. However, unlike strategy games, such as chess and go, video games also rely heavily on sensorimotor precision. If the `finding' was merely that AI agents have superhuman reaction times and precision, none would be surprised. The goal is rather to look at adaptive reasoning and strategies produced by AI agents that may replicate human approaches or even result in strategies not previously produced by humans.Here I will provide: (1) an overview of observations where AI agents are perhaps not being fairly evaluated relative to humans, (2) a potential approach for making this comparison more appropriate, and (3) highlight some important recent advances in video-game play provided by AI agents.

Exploring Complex Intertextual Interactions in Video Games

2016 ◽  
pp. 108-128
Author(s):  
Kathy Sanford ◽  
Timothy Frank Hopper ◽  
Jamie Burren
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Language Arts ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Teaching Tool ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Video Game Play ◽  
Class A ◽  
Video Gamers ◽  
Grade 11

This chapter explores the intertextual nature of video games. Video games are inherently intertextual and have utilized intertextuality in profound ways to engage players and make meaning. Youth who play video games demonstrate complex intertextual literacies that enable them to construct and share understandings across game genres. However, video game literacy is noticeably absent from formal education. This chapter draws from bi-monthly meetings with a group of youth video gamers. Video game sessions focused on exploring aspect of video game play such as learning and civic engagements. Each session was video recorded and coded using You Tube annotation tools. Focusing on intertextuality as an organizing construct, the chapter reports on five themes that emerged that were then used to help explore the use of video games as teaching tool in a grade 11 Language Arts class. A critical concept that emerged was the idea of complex intertextual literacy that frames and enables adolescents' engagement with video games.

scholarly journals Considerations for Comparing Video Game AI Agents with Humans

Challenges ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Madan
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Complex Action ◽  
Potential Approach ◽  
Video Game Play ◽  
Game Ai ◽  
Strategy Games ◽  
Action Sequences

Video games are sometimes used as environments to evaluate AI agents’ ability to develop and execute complex action sequences to maximize a defined reward. However, humans cannot match the fine precision of the timed actions of AI agents; in games such as StarCraft, build orders take the place of chess opening gambits. However, unlike strategy games, such as chess and Go, video games also rely heavily on sensorimotor precision. If the “finding” was merely that AI agents have superhuman reaction times and precision, none would be surprised. The goal is rather to look at adaptive reasoning and strategies produced by AI agents that may replicate human approaches or even result in strategies not previously produced by humans. Here, I will provide: (1) an overview of observations where AI agents are perhaps not being fairly evaluated relative to humans, (2) a potential approach for making this comparison more appropriate, and (3) highlight some important recent advances in video game play provided by AI agents.

Exploring the Effects of Violent Video Games on Healthcare Trainees

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 653-665
Author(s):  
Karlie A. Krause ◽  
Chelsie Smyth ◽  
Kate L. Jansen
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Personal Distress ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Violent Video Games ◽  
Video Game Play ◽  
Violent Video Game ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Distress Scale

Background. The prevalence of video game play has continued to increase. Previous literature has suggested negative emotional consequences related to violent video game play, such as an increase in aggression and decrease in empathy. Healthcare providers require high levels of empathy to effectively work with patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of video games on empathy on a sample of graduate-level healthcare trainees. Methods. A sample of 81 students on a healthcare campus completed a 30-item survey assessing video game habits and empathy levels. Participants were then placed into two groups (violent and non-violent) based on the amount of video game violence they are exposed to. Results. The results revealed no differences between healthcare trainees on overall empathy. A follow-up analysis examining individual subscales that comprise the overall empathy score, indicated the violent video game players had lower scores on the Personal Distress scale. Conclusion. Findings suggest that healthcare trainees who play violent video games do not experience decreased Empathic Concern or Perspective Taking, compared to individuals who do not play violent games. However, healthcare trainees who play violent video games indicated lower levels of Personal Distress. Given the intensity in healthcare settings, findings suggest violent video game play may be adaptive to healthcare trainees, as lower personal distress can lead to better decision-making and potentially prevent burnout. Further research is necessary to determine the role of video game play in healthcare professionals.

scholarly journals Moral Disengagement Strategies in Videogame Players and Sports Players

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Lavinia McLean ◽  
Mark D. Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Video Game ◽  
Moral Disengagement ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Relevant Research ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Video Game Play ◽  
Video Gamers ◽  
The Relationship

Research in the area of video game play and sports psychology has suggested that specific strategies are often employed by players to justify aggressive behaviour used during gameplay. The present study investigates the relationship between game play and moral disengagement strategies in a group of 605 adults who played violent videogames or regularly played competitive sports. The results suggest that sports players were more likely than violent game players to endorse moral disengagement strategies. The video gamers were more likely to use a specific set of moral disengagement strategies (i.e., cognitive restructuring) than the other groups and this may be related to the structural characteristics of videogames. The findings add to recent research exploring the mechanisms by which individuals engage in aggressive acts both virtually and in real-life situations. The results are discussed in relation to similar relevant research in the area, along with recommendations for future research.

scholarly journals Video Game Values: Play as Human-Computer Interaction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Pippin Barr
Keyword(s):  
Video Games ◽  
Human Computer Interaction ◽  
Activity Theory ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Game Play ◽  
Video Game Play ◽  
Game Activity ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Computer Interaction

<p>Video games are a form of software and thus an obvious object of study in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Interaction with video games differs from the usual understanding of HCI, however, because people play video games rather than use them. In this dissertation we ask: " How can we analyse human-computer interaction in video games when the interaction in question is play?" We propose video game values, defined as sustained beliefs about preferable conduct during play, as a basis for video game HCI. In order to describe and analyse play we use activity theory, focusing on how the interface mediates players' beliefs about preferable conduct. Activity theory allows us to address the multiple levels of context and detail in play as well as the role of conflict. We employ a qualitative case study methodology to gather data about five popular video games: Civilization III, Fable, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Half-Life 2, and The Sims 2. Our core data comes from observation and interview sessions with twenty-five experienced players of these games. We collected further data based on the games' interfaces, participant observation, and documentation such as manuals and walkthroughs. We make three key contributions to video game HCI: 1) We introduce video game values as a means to analyse play as a form of human-computer interaction and show how the values of PAIDIA and LUDUS influence all aspects of play; 2) we develop a video game activity framework for describing and analysing video game play at multiple levels of detail and context; and 3) we extend the video game activity framework to include contradictions and breakdowns as a means to describe and analyse the role of conflict and challenge in video game play.</p>

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