Gamers make decisions faster

[K-Panggg]

So, a friend of mine (who's not a gamer) twitted this for me yesterday, and I thought I'd share it.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1GHkTf/newsfeed.time.com/2010/09/14/study-gamers-make-decisions-faster//r:t

Do you find it true?
I mean, the logic behind it is undoubted. But do you find that you make decisions faster than non gamer friends?

For example, I dunno, when you go to a restaurant, do you order your food quickly or do you dwell on the possibilities?

I know I make fast decisions every day, but I don't know if that has to do with the fact that I am strong willed or that I've been playing videogames since I was 4.

What do you think?

[Alchy]

It's pretty obvious that decision making is a skill. Like any other skill, it should benefit from practice. It wouldn't surprise me if a person who routinely spends a few hours a day making active choices in games has is generally quicker at decision making than someone who spends that time passively watching television.

[madhatter256]

Of course, fast decision making does not mean you're making a right decision all the time ;-).

[K-Panggg]

Of course, fast decision making does not mean you're making a right decision all the time ;-).


Slow decision making processes don't guarantee that either...

I think the article doesn't refer to life changing decisions, like wether or not to get a mortgage or what career to follow, but it deals with smaller choices in your everyday life.

I've been thinking on it, and many people I know are terribly slow at it. It drives me a little crazy

[Tatsujin]

I want to believe.

[Rogue]

For example, I dunno, when you go to a restaurant, do you order your food quickly or do you dwell on the possibilities?

Sorry but this example is bad.

I just can't decide fast about food. It'll interfere with my whole day. I mean, the effects of the choosen food... .-.

Ok, maybe I have some issues with food... but a lot of people have, too! So food is not a good example. Maybe decisions at work is a good example. But not food, makeup, clothes, soap scents lol

[alecjahn]

I don't quite agree, at least for me.

In quick-action games, I don't make decisions based on logic or reasoning THAT much. It's more instinct and reflex.
When I play RPGs and other things where time isn't a factor, I dwell on EVERY little thing.
Single player FPS: I don't make good decisions, I just run and die a lot until I realize I should probably try some sort of tactic and actually TRY to play the game instead of going WEEEEEEEE!

Things like Counter-Strike that might require decisions and timing, I've usually played enough to know exactly what I want to do in some situation based on repetition, not some inherit decision making skill (though I guess one could still consider that a skill).

[karsten]

i think it's true. i'm faster minded than most of my non gamer friends...

and i think i became even faster playing wipeout HD :D

[jammanutz]

i tend to make fast wrong decisions lol !

[ave]

I think that's not really applicable to a wider field of persons. For instance, I play 80% 2D-shooters that require me to make many decisions in one minute. Scoreplaying requires the player to do two things at the same time: follow a certain strategy & route, but also to react intuitional and to stay flexible in your actions at all times.

Okay. So that makes me decide amazingly fast in every situation. Certainly not... it took me ages to decide what courses I should apply for at the University. I never think I've searched long enough when I want to buy a new electronic device (camera, TV, pc) and my friends always become mad at me because I never know what to eat, lol.

Maybe games can only improve your decision-making in certain situations, like those unrelated to your personal everyday life or important events (i.e. playing Tetris or stacking boxes in the garage). I know I can decide pretty fast when I play a game, but that's where it ends. ^^

[XerdoPwerko]

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1GHkTf/newsfeed.time.com/2010/09/14/study-gamers-make-decisions-faster//r:t

What do you think?

Hey, do you use Stumbleupon too? I love that thing.

I get some really cool reads from there.

Now... about decision making, as was said before, fast is not always good.

BUT speed does help decisions be more "on time", I guess? You know, that would really stop gamers from wasting opportunities.

Also... What kind of gamers? What type of game really boosts which aspects of decision making?
You know, like SRPGs for the decisions that pertain planning ahead, and FPS for quick spatial decisions, and so on?

[Hawanja]

Actually yes, I do find this to be true. I take less time to think about stuff like ordering in a restaurant, what I want to do first in the day, etc.

[graciano1337]

I can't decide if this is true or not.

[Hellcat]

I decide I must now reply to this thread!


....ohwait, that was too quick, now I gotta actually write something o_O

OK, well, usually I do my decissions quite quickly and it sometimes drives me crazy when people take age to decide stuffs I'm already over with.

But if that is in any way related to me playing videogames.... ahhhhh, dunno, can't decide xD