English Amiga Board - Computer games help male memory

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THE power of pop songs to take us back to our youth is well known, but now a study has shown that classic computer games can have the same effect.

Researchers found that playing video games such as Pac Man and Space Invaders induced a "positive emotional state" connected to a past happy memory. That in turn increased the players' focus, attention and memory.

The study involved more than 100 men aged between 25 and 35. All were asked to play a series of classic video games. Results showed that after playing the video games, gamers' "cognitive responses" improved significantly.

When asked how they felt when playing the games, individuals said their main emotions were happiness, nostalgia and cheerfulness. Researchers said these all led to an increase in their concentration and focus in various memory tests.

Games from the 1980s triggered the biggest improvement in memory, followed by games from the 1990s.

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