Intro to Drawing 1020
Chemistry 1010
Social Science 1010
English 1010
Biology 1010
Astronomy 1040
Intro to Sociology
The assignment was to talk about the perspectives and views of yoga. It was to show the thoughts and attitudes towards what yoga does and who does it.
Yeah, learning the three theoretical perspectives make me look at things different now. For example, I now think of what others may think f a certain subject and if it is in heir norms or culture to participate. I think of things in my way of culture and how others may see things in their culture. I also think what some may have stereo types on and try to see around those stereo types, such as only young, skinny attractive females do yoga.
Writing this paper challenged the stereo types of yoga and told of other reasons and beliefs for participating in yoga. It challenged that only certain types of people do yoga, which is not true.
I enjoyed working in a group and thought it helped a lot. I liked how I got other people’s opinions in my group to help me on assignments. I think working in a group helped to get home work done and to get used to working with other people. Working in a group helped me to improve social skills and to learn better of others people’s cultures. It helped me personally to do better on the assignments and tests.
The assignments have helped me to grow by learning to see things from others people’s perspectives. I learned the norms of other people’s religions and living conditions and now understand better other people’s different ways of life. I have learned some of the stereo types of cultures.
English 1010
Coleton Beesley
Lang 1010
Ms. Paxton
12-18-12
Positives and Negatives of Video Gaming
With the advancement of today’s technology, video games are becoming more and more realistic. While many agree that video games are turning kids more violent and less physically active, others agree that video games are improving children’s creativity and intelligence. One side sees video games as the reason for more teen violence and a physical lack of effort and responsibility, while another side sees them as safely enjoyable and supportive in growth and self esteem. With the increase of games that include violence and sexual content in society today, many parents and leaders are stereotyping all video games as misleading and disruptive to all participants. On the other hand, there are many video games that are family appropriate and enjoyed by teens also that do not include mature content. There are both ups and downs on the argument “For or against video games”, but It’s all about ‘how’ you choose to play, rather than ‘If’ you choose to play.
There are many that believe video games are a waste of time and lead to violence, bad habits, lack of effort and lack of physical exercise. “There’s still a tendency to think of video games as a big wad of time-wasting content, You would never hear a parent say we don’t allow books in our home, but you’ll still hear parents say we don’t allow video games in our home, said Cheryl Olson, co-director of the Center for Mental Health and Media at Massachusetts General Hospital. “Most of the bad effects of video games are blamed on the violence they contain. Children who play more violent video games are more likely to have increased aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and decreased pro-social helping, according to a scientific study” (Anderson & Bushman, psychologists of University of Wisconsin, Negative Effects of Video Games ). "I find some of the games out there personally shocking. If you've ever seen 'Grand Theft Auto,' there's adult-oriented material on there and a lot of violence. I don't know what psychological affect it has on kids, but there certainly are more adult-themed games out there," (Brian O'Rourke, a senior analyst at In-Stat). Staring at the T.V. for an extended period of time causes weakened eyesight due to exposure to harmful UV rays at a close range. Spending long amounts of time regularly playing video games leads to irresponsibility and lost value to other things. Video games distracts from what’s important and real in life such as family, work, and school. From personal experience, some of my friends have been affected negatively to over exposure and dedication to playing their favorite games. They are not as close with their families or as successful in school from the lost value of what’s important. It seems they choose to spend more time on their systems rather than with their families or completing homework. “Too much video game playing makes your kid socially isolated. Also, he may spend less time in other activities such as doing homework, reading, sports, and interacting with the family and friends.” (Andersen and Bushman). Video games can be viewed as destructive and useless towards those who participate in playing them. Because of the amazing real life graphics and unrealistic game play abilities put into each game, kids may feel bad about themselves because every character is carefully designed with perfect looks and perfect characteristics.
To me, Video games inspire creativity and imagination through the use of modern-day technology and realistic graphics. Not all video games create a negative impact on participants. There are many games that are age appropriate for everyone. Sure, there are games that contain mature content, but there are just as many that contain age appropriate content for everyone. Playing video games in moderation stimulates the brain with imagination and reality relaxation. "Video games change your brain; they change the brain’s physical structure the same way as do learning to read, playing the piano, or navigating using a map”, says psychologist C. Shawn Green, University of Wisconsin. Much like exercise can build muscle, the powerful combination of concentration and rewarding surges of neurotransmitters like dopamine strengthen neural circuits that can build the brain.”
Playing video games for me allows me to go beyond the normal world and experience impossible, incredible fantasy. Depending on the video game, I can do what I want or become who I want. I can complete accomplishments that give the game purpose and make me feel progressive and successful in something I work hard at and enjoy doing at the same time.
Video games are positive and useful because there are autistic kids who do not have many friends or much social interaction with other kids their age so Video games give these kids something to have accomplishment in. The games allow them to be entertained in other ways rather than having fun with other kids who don’t socialize with them. “Autistic kids miss out on experiences from the real world, so video games return some of that through realistic graphics and real world situations”, ( Linda Packreete, parent of autistic child). Studies have shown that video games have taught children with autism how to act and how to behave appropriately through the use of the xbox360 connect. Some games teach these children responsibility, motor skills, pro-social skills and problem solving skills. “The most well known simulations are flight simulators, which attempt to mimic the reality of flying a plane. All of the controls, including airspeed, wing angles, altimeter, and so on, are displayed for the player, as well as a visual representation of the world, and are updated in real time.” (Green, internet, raisesmartkid.com). The autistic child’s parents encourage video gaming because they realize the lack of social attention their children receive from other children. The type of video games these autistic children enjoy does play a role in their development. The children spend frequent amounts of time on their game systems, making them think that something that is normal in the game must be normal in real life. “Some video games teach kids the wrong values. Violent behavior, vengeance and aggression are rewarded. Negotiating and other nonviolent solutions are often not options. Women are often portrayed as weaker characters that are helpless or sexually provocative.” (Green)
The games shape their personality because of the content the games contain. For example, a mature game with nudity and profound language will lead the child to use profound language themselves and also continually view nudity as appropriate. Exposure to violent games may strike anger or violent acts to be committed because they view it as appropriate.
There are a few common goals of each side of the argument. The ultimate goal of video games is to entertain; the plan in creating them is to make a game everyone will love and make tons of money selling. Companies will create level packs, game content add-on, downloadable content, avatar content and much more to make money and to entertain the gamers. Producers of games have one thing in mind: to make money and gain credibility. Whether it’s making a game with mature content for teens, or a family fun game that’s easy and likeable, companies want to make money and gain
credibility to continue to build their brand name and sell good quality games. Video games can have a negative or positive effect, but the creation of the games somewhat depends on what type of people play the most video games; teens looking for violence and mature content, or kids and family looking for clean, classic, strategic type games. Demand of more teen type games could slow the production and demand of friendly type games down because of the lack of games sold. There are plenty of games we all love that are appropriate; Mario games, racing games, arcade games, strategy games, Nintendo games. As long as the stereotype that all games are bad is broken down, many people will find these good games and enjoy them while avoiding the bad ones.
Video Games can be enjoyed and have a negative impact, as well as enjoyed and have a positive impact. “The type of games enjoyed by players makes all the difference”, (Lance, psychologist). There is a stereotype that all video games are bad influences on kids and that they contain mature content, misleading and disrupting kids minds. This is false; since there are also many family friendly games and teen age appropriate games that do not contain mature content. Bad video games lead to bad behaviors and habits, while good video games lead to creativity, imagination, achievement and adventure. “Studies show that the period of time and amount of time spent playing video games makes both negative and positive effects” (Peter Sanchez of Game informer). Playing video games for an extended period of time on a regular basis leads to laziness and lack of effort, but instead, playing longer but not as regularly helps the mind and self esteem. “Video games spark children’s imagination through the use of advanced technology and graphics,” (Green). My opinionated side of video games states that the enjoyment of video games releases people’s minds from the harsh reality of the real world and takes them on an adventure of discovery and achievement, while the negative opinionated side states that violent games can lead to anger and hatred causing a negative effect on personality and growth.
Biology 1010