Playing different types of video games linked to improved cognitive skills
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013 12:06 PM

Playing video games, whether alone or with multiple people, can be a whole lot of fun. In addition, several studies have shown that this activity can have a positive influence on the brain. For instance, a 2012 study from Deakin University in Australia provided evidence that interactive video games can improve pre-school aged children's motor skills.

Now, there is evidence that shows dedicating as little as one hour a day to playing video games could improve people's cognitive skills. In a recent study, researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore set out to see what effects playing different types of video games had on participants' ability to complete cognitive tasks.

Based on the researchers' findings, different types of video games can in fact have a positive influence on people's cognitive abilities. For example, playing games that required them to match three objects or find a hidden item were found to improve their performance on visual search tasks.

Based on all this research, people who play video games on a regular basis may want to take an IQ test and see if they have experienced any cognitive improvements.