New Book: Games Can Enhance Empathy in Children
New Book: Games Can Enhance Empathy in Children
January 8, 2009
Is your copy of Grand Theft Childhood getting a bit lonely up there on the bookshelf?
If so, new book by psychiatrist and gamer Dr. Kourosh Dini might make a great companion piece.
Video Game Play and Addiction: A Guide for Parents addresses the controversy over game addiction, examines the impact of video games on children, and provides advice for parents who are “overwhelmed and under informed about the games their children play.”
Of his book, Dini said:
Games have lots of benefits, which unfortunately, parents aren't always aware of when the only games they're exposed to are the controversial violent ones targeted to more mature players. Age appropriate multi-player video games can allow children to learn how other people think - a key aspect of empathy. Games can also help a child become more comfortable with new and ever progressing technology...
To be sure, there are those who play problematically. Learning how to tell the difference can be critical toward promoting healthy development.
Other topics covered include:
- Improved learning and communications skills
- Emotional and mental health
- Aggression
- Motivational and withdrawal issues
- ESRB ratings
Via: PR Web
-Reporting from San Diego, GamePolitics Correspondent Andrew Eisen…
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GamePolitics ShoutBox
Posted 03/18/10 at 12:07pm
JDKJ: No, I did you the favor and said it for you.
JDKJ: No, I did you the favor and said it for you.
Posted 03/18/10 at 12:06pm
Valdearg: What I said was while I may have implied long term accuraccy, and that might have been incorrect, my greater point that the CBO report calculated reduced deficits, expanded coverage, and lower costs is still 100% accurate. :D
Valdearg: What I said was while I may have implied long term accuraccy, and that might have been incorrect, my greater point that the CBO report calculated reduced deficits, expanded coverage, and lower costs is still 100% accurate. :D
Posted 03/18/10 at 12:06pm
Valdearg: Like any good politician, I don't believe I said "I was incorrect." :P
Valdearg: Like any good politician, I don't believe I said "I was incorrect." :P
Posted 03/18/10 at 12:02pm
JDKJ: If you'd said "I was incorrect" 10 shouts ago, I'd have quit twisting your arm to get you see the obvious 10 shouts ago.
JDKJ: If you'd said "I was incorrect" 10 shouts ago, I'd have quit twisting your arm to get you see the obvious 10 shouts ago.
Posted 03/18/10 at 12:00pm
JDKJ: You were they one assuming 100% accuracy. In all caps, no less.
JDKJ: You were they one assuming 100% accuracy. In all caps, no less.
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:59am
Valdearg: Yes, my implication that the long term estimates were facts was incorrect, but the short term calculations are absolutely facts, and even the long term estimates are still useful in attempting to determine exactly what will happen with the bill.
Valdearg: Yes, my implication that the long term estimates were facts was incorrect, but the short term calculations are absolutely facts, and even the long term estimates are still useful in attempting to determine exactly what will happen with the bill.
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:58am
Valdearg: I do. The Short term costs are actually calculated facts. The long term estimates aren't necessarily 100% accurate, but to assume that they can't possibly be accurate because someone said they might not be 100% accurate is also wrong.
Valdearg: I do. The Short term costs are actually calculated facts. The long term estimates aren't necessarily 100% accurate, but to assume that they can't possibly be accurate because someone said they might not be 100% accurate is also wrong.
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:57am
JDKJ: When someone says, "I could be wrong but, as best as I can tell, X," X ain't a fact.
JDKJ: When someone says, "I could be wrong but, as best as I can tell, X," X ain't a fact.
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:53am
JDKJ: It's too early in the morning for you to be deaf, blind, and dumb drunk. A "my best guestimate" can't be a fact. Don't you understand the difference between the two?
JDKJ: It's too early in the morning for you to be deaf, blind, and dumb drunk. A "my best guestimate" can't be a fact. Don't you understand the difference between the two?
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:41am
Valdearg: By how much depends on variables that can't necessarily be predicted at this point in time. And yes, those Facts are accurate only so far into the future, but those estimates can certainly be used to support this measure.
Valdearg: By how much depends on variables that can't necessarily be predicted at this point in time. And yes, those Facts are accurate only so far into the future, but those estimates can certainly be used to support this measure.
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:40am
Valdearg: And I'm saying, as far as the CBO report goes, the facts that it does put forward are deficit reduction, reducing costs, and expanding costs. Those ARE facts.
Valdearg: And I'm saying, as far as the CBO report goes, the facts that it does put forward are deficit reduction, reducing costs, and expanding costs. Those ARE facts.
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:30am
JDKJ: You were the one championing a qualified estimate as an indisputable fact. I'm merely pointing out that it's far from indisputable. So says the estimator.
JDKJ: You were the one championing a qualified estimate as an indisputable fact. I'm merely pointing out that it's far from indisputable. So says the estimator.
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:27am
Valdearg: Or are you only breaking that argument out because the CBO says that this bill is a good thing for our deficit?
Valdearg: Or are you only breaking that argument out because the CBO says that this bill is a good thing for our deficit?
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:27am
JDKJ: The CBO says that, to the extent it is possible to accurately predict defict reduction over the long term, it is likely to reduce the deficit. That's your idea of "a fact that don't lie?"
JDKJ: The CBO says that, to the extent it is possible to accurately predict defict reduction over the long term, it is likely to reduce the deficit. That's your idea of "a fact that don't lie?"
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:26am
Valdearg: Would you be singing the same tune if the CBO came back saying that the bill will likely double the deficit in 20 years??
Valdearg: Would you be singing the same tune if the CBO came back saying that the bill will likely double the deficit in 20 years??
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:26am
Valdearg: @JDKJ: Just because there is a margin of error doesn't mean that the numbers aren't at least psudo-accurate.
Valdearg: @JDKJ: Just because there is a margin of error doesn't mean that the numbers aren't at least psudo-accurate.
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:25am
Valdearg: The point is that the bill reduces costs, expands coverage, and reduces the deficit.
Valdearg: The point is that the bill reduces costs, expands coverage, and reduces the deficit.
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:24am
JDKJ: So why are you off and running with "facts and numbers don't lie" when the very author of the facts and numbers is acknowledging that their facts and numbers could quite easily be wrong?
JDKJ: So why are you off and running with "facts and numbers don't lie" when the very author of the facts and numbers is acknowledging that their facts and numbers could quite easily be wrong?
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:23am
Valdearg: @JDKJ: Indeed, but the 10 year is also showing a deficit reduction, and that's more accurate.
Valdearg: @JDKJ: Indeed, but the 10 year is also showing a deficit reduction, and that's more accurate.
Posted 03/18/10 at 11:19am
JDKJ: Val': Isn't the CBO saying at the same time that predicting the long term deficit reduction effect isn't anywhere near an exact science? And that its prediction should be taken with that understanding?
JDKJ: Val': Isn't the CBO saying at the same time that predicting the long term deficit reduction effect isn't anywhere near an exact science? And that its prediction should be taken with that understanding?
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Comments
Oh Andrew ma boi, you wouldn't happen to know if this is available at Barnes and Nobles?
I have errands to run out that way, so if you know if they sell it I'll make a stop.
I can always call, but I've never been on hold for less than 30 minutes there.
It is.
Andrew Eisen
Anything outside of a scientific journal is a waste of one's time. Anyone can publish a book, regardless of its validity. Just look at Mein Kampf.
Godwin's Law, deoVIRUS.
For once, it actually works in our favor.
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"Game on, brothers and sisters." -Leet Gamer Jargon
How is pointing out a book full of racist lies and propaganda related to Godwin's law? Mein Kampf has predates Nazi's, seeing as Hitler wrote it in prison before coming to power.
Godwin's Law isn't limited to Nazis, it applies to anything by Hitler, as it applies to Hitler himself
岩「…Where do masochists go when they die?」
But he never made any comparison to Nazi's. He just used mein kampf as an example.
He compared this new book to Mein Kampf, albeit indirectly, by calling both a waste of one's time.
Either way, Godwin's Law is invoked and this discussion is over.
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"Game on, brothers and sisters." -Leet Gamer Jargon
Godwin's Law: "As [an Internet] discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one."
the Hitler part was fulfilled, by mentioning 'Mein Kampf'
岩「…Where do masochists go when they die?」
I think using Out of Harm's Way might have been a better analogy than Mein Kampf. While both books contain enough lies that they should be labeled fiction, Out of Harm's Way has more to do with the topic at hand I believe.
I prefer to use hyperboles, they get peoples attention.
True. It did get everyone's attention.
Only thing is, it's Nazi-related. Hence, Godwin's Law is invoked and this has long since been over.
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"Game on, brothers and sisters." -Leet Gamer Jargon
A Nazi-related comment does NOT automatically mean Godwin's Law is applicable. If the comment is irrelevant or overly hyperbolic in using the Nazi reference, then Godwin's Law applies. I will admit that its level of appropriateness in a given situation is somewhat subjective, but it's not a black and white thing, either.
"There is no sin except stupidity." - Oscar Wilde
Really? I never felt empathy for the stormtroopers I bisected.Neither did I feel any for the ones I shoved down bottomless pits... or the ones I drained the life energy of... or...
They are talking about multiplayer games. You know, the ones where you interact with other real people. By observing how they react in gaming situations, you can gain understanding of what goes through their minds. That is the first step towards empathy.
E. Zachary Knight
Oklahoma City Chapter of the ECA
MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/okceca
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1325674091
Yeah, but how many friendships have been destroyed by Contra?
"Damn, I died a third time. Let me get one of your lives."
"Well...alright..."
"Ok cool...argh, I fell into a pit. I'm gonna take another one."
"Stop stealing my lives you bastard!"
Hehehe, good times, good times.
Tea and cake or death! Tea and cake or death! Little Red Cook-book! Little Red Cook-book!
I remember nearly losing one because of Mortal K Combat III... Something about me playing as Noob Saibot and them never getting a chance to land a hit.
Or apathy...
"STFU U NUB!"
"OMG your so gay!"
"Your a *** you know that? No one likes you!"
and finally
"MOM I WANT MY CHOCOLATE MILK!!!!"
I felt bad for the guys in Dues ex half of the fodder are jsut fools lead on by master minds...thus why I loved MR traq dart.....oh....those were the days....
Why is it I always have unhealthy relations with fictional characters.......
Shearing/Downloading will never be a mainstream market.
Gore,Violence,Sexauilty,Fear,Emotion these are but modes
of transportation of story and thought, to take them from
society and you create a society of children and nannys
"Unhealthy relations with fictional characters" . . . Lara Croft?
Age appropriate multi-player video games can allow children to learn how other people think - a key aspect of empathy.
That's the first I've heard someone make this claim, normally I hear critics claiming video games lead to apathy. There is merit to it, considering you're interacting with real people in a controlled environment.
This is where Alevan comes in and says hitting children upside the head makes them more empathic.
More stupid maybe... And the world really doesn't need anymore of those types.
I didn't realize empathy was something that could or had to be learned. And I don't think it's necessarily a good thing that anyone has empathy for something that isn't alive and doesn't feel anything, such as a fictional character in a video game. Sure, I've felt guilty while stealing or killing in various games (like the Elder Scrolls games), but when I see an NPC drop the floor after I deplete it's health meter, I don't feel like I just killed someone, and I shouldn't. Just seems a tad unhealthy to me.
Is it just me or do most of the people writing about video games and championing/combating them know absolutely nothing about them?
Maybe this is different, I don't know, it sounds like another book written to profit off of a controversy with no real sources, or one source repeated over and over.
All things in moderation. An entire martini is fine for most people, some should avoid it. For the vast majority of the population, a large bottle of vodka is not a one night drink.
Huh. I've been wanting to pick up some books to read and this might be a good one to look into. I'll be taking a trip to my local book store when I get the chance.
Amy Levandoski
Make sure to get one on the DRM too, and any others that are in regards to topics you have no understanding of but continue to comment about.
(Inspired by Ashton. Kudos, brother!)
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"Game on, brothers and sisters." -Leet Gamer Jargon
"An Internet troll draws near!"
Dragon Quest troll FTW!
岩「…Where do masochists go when they die?」
And to think we have Toriyama-sensei to thank.
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"Game on, brothers and sisters." -Leet Gamer Jargon