Post by Xaimara on Aug 3, 2003 16:39:57 GMT -4
Video games hold wide appeal for college students, especially women, who say the electronic diversions help them socialize and doesn't interfere with their schoolwork.
Sixty-five percent said they were "regular" or "occasional" players of console, computer and online video games, according to a recent survey of 1,162 college students by the Pew Internet & American Life Project (www.pewinternet.org).
Sixty percent of women said they played computer and online games regularly, while only 40 percent of men said they played these types of games consistently. The same number of men and women, about 50 percent, reported playing console video games regularly.
"I think the most significant finding is that all of the students in the survey had played some type of game — everyone plays them, everyone knows them," says Steve Jones, who heads the department of communications at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "They are almost an automatic part of what teenagers and college students do for fun and leisure."
Jones oversaw the study, which was conducted between March and October of 2002.
Students also said video games helped them socialize on campus. One out of every five students who play games felt "moderately" or "strongly" that gaming helped them make new friends as well as improve existing friendships.
"Gaming is an interactive, social activity that allows me to exercise my brain and social needs in a way that the noninteractive activity of watching television does not," says Pratap Gajjala, a student at Ohio State University's Columbus campus. He says he plays games roughly 21 to 28 hours a week.
Jones says he was surprised how often women were playing some types of games.
"I had not expected that we would find more women playing these games than men," he says. "I think there's a sort of stereotype of the male gamer."
Jones said that women might play computer and online games more than men because there is a wider selection of titles, including board-game remakes, casino diversions and solitaire.
According to students, gaming also has little impact, either positive or negative, on their studies. Sixty-six percent said that gaming had no influence on their academic performance, though 48 percent said playing video games keeps them from studying "some" or "a lot."
"My suspicion is that if they were not procrastinating using gaming, most of them would be procrastinating in other ways," says Nancy Baym, an associate professor of communications studies at the University of Kansas. "For some, games relieve stress, serve social functions, provide escapism and fun. For others, they may be more problematic, but I doubt that the average person who is doing well in academics and social life will be corrupted by gaming."
Interesting. I do play online games at yahoo games and at miniclip, but give me the gaming console anyday. They should continue this and ask what genre of games do woman play more. If this guy knew the games I love to play, he'll flip his wig. *sighs* I want my Xbox back!
Sixty-five percent said they were "regular" or "occasional" players of console, computer and online video games, according to a recent survey of 1,162 college students by the Pew Internet & American Life Project (www.pewinternet.org).
Sixty percent of women said they played computer and online games regularly, while only 40 percent of men said they played these types of games consistently. The same number of men and women, about 50 percent, reported playing console video games regularly.
"I think the most significant finding is that all of the students in the survey had played some type of game — everyone plays them, everyone knows them," says Steve Jones, who heads the department of communications at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "They are almost an automatic part of what teenagers and college students do for fun and leisure."
Jones oversaw the study, which was conducted between March and October of 2002.
Students also said video games helped them socialize on campus. One out of every five students who play games felt "moderately" or "strongly" that gaming helped them make new friends as well as improve existing friendships.
"Gaming is an interactive, social activity that allows me to exercise my brain and social needs in a way that the noninteractive activity of watching television does not," says Pratap Gajjala, a student at Ohio State University's Columbus campus. He says he plays games roughly 21 to 28 hours a week.
Jones says he was surprised how often women were playing some types of games.
"I had not expected that we would find more women playing these games than men," he says. "I think there's a sort of stereotype of the male gamer."
Jones said that women might play computer and online games more than men because there is a wider selection of titles, including board-game remakes, casino diversions and solitaire.
According to students, gaming also has little impact, either positive or negative, on their studies. Sixty-six percent said that gaming had no influence on their academic performance, though 48 percent said playing video games keeps them from studying "some" or "a lot."
"My suspicion is that if they were not procrastinating using gaming, most of them would be procrastinating in other ways," says Nancy Baym, an associate professor of communications studies at the University of Kansas. "For some, games relieve stress, serve social functions, provide escapism and fun. For others, they may be more problematic, but I doubt that the average person who is doing well in academics and social life will be corrupted by gaming."
Interesting. I do play online games at yahoo games and at miniclip, but give me the gaming console anyday. They should continue this and ask what genre of games do woman play more. If this guy knew the games I love to play, he'll flip his wig. *sighs* I want my Xbox back!
I like playin' console video games too. I mostly like playin' the NBA stuff and fighting-type games though.