Gaming = Good for you?

Hello all.

To start this Blog a basic definition of Brain Plasticity might be needed, I can give you the very basic one and if you have any further questions use Wiki or open a book. A good one is called "The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science by Norman Doidge, M.D."

My definition:
Brain plasticity is the phrase used to describe how a brain can change itself to overcome difficulties/injuries or increase processing speed and power in well used areas. This speed and power is partly as a result of mylin (A fatty coating) covering the axons on a neuron.

A relevant example of this is different types of game play on brain function. Such as, if you played Halo and completed the game a few times, then you will likely get pretty good at that game. This skill at a FPS will likely transfer to FPS shooters and reduce the length of time needed to become good at other similar genre games compared to how long it took to initially play Halo. Also we can assume that the complex motor skills practiced with Halo will make almost all other 3D games slightly easier to master.

Physically what happens to the brain during those hours spent playing: The neurons being used in motor function, 3D processing and hand-eye coordination are being worked out. Thus will strengthen and an increase in processing speed and power (How fast and in what depth you can think/respond) results, due to a build up of Mylin.

Traditionally (E.g. 10-30 years ago, beginning of video game culture) games have been thought of in a mostly male sense, boys older brothers played games, their friends played games and their fathers played games (I know this is a generalization but role with it!).
On a social level what is the result - Games being thought of as male.
On a individual level - males play more games.
On a psychological level - Males benefit more from the brain plasticity and through increased practice and myelinated axons etc. increase processing speed and cause males to dominate gaming.

What has been happening in Modern gaming culture is an insurgence of female players benefiting from brain plasticity and will eventually (as females start earlier and start with more complex games) match the male players in number and social status. The real question is... Where will the men go?

Hugh


Extra: Above is a picture of my brain after taking part in a Psychological study about video game/ instrument effect on the brain. Red = more Myelinated axons = greater connectivity.