By CHRIS POLLARD
The study says shoot-to-kill video games improve quick-thinking and make players more able to cope with the demands of modern life. It refutes claims video games turn teenagers into violent criminals — and argues parents should encourage their kids to enjoy a bit of virtual blood-and-guts. The team of researchers from the Netherlands also say games consoles should be installed in NURSING HOMES. Assistant Professor Dr Lorenza Colzato, of Leiden University's psychology department, said: "Playing video games helps the natural reflexes, it makes players more responsive and able to switch between different tasks. "This type of thinking is very practical for the modern lifestyle where people are doing so many things at the one time. "They may be checking their email, then taking a phone call. They need to be flexible."
She added: "If someone likes violent video games it does not mean they will engage in anti-social behaviour. Parents should not be scared to let their children play video games." Prof Colzato said the skills learned from the video games would help people in fast-paced jobs. And they could even help elderly people fight off the signs of ageing. She said: "If elderly people had a lot of problems with their thinking they could play video games to improve their minds. "This could become a common nursing home activity, it would be a successful strategy."
The report, compiled at the Leiden University and the University of Amsterdam, was published in the journal Frontiers in Cognition.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2944067/Video-games-good-for-brain.html?OTC-RSS&ATTR=News#ixzz0m0HnkLBW
