If you are one of the ones (or the one?) who has watched all the episodes, thanks so much! This is an ever-evolving topic to which there are no easy answers. Video games are here to stay, and kids will continue to be drawn to them. As parents, we want to help guide our kids through these waters so they can capitalize on the many benefits of gaming while avoiding some of the negative effects. Hopefully, some of the information in this blog series will help you to do just that.

In a recent study, discussed in an article of Psychological Science in the Public Interest, ten commonly used studying techniques were examined in order to determine which ones were actually effective methods.

Of the ten study methods, five were judged to be effective:

1. Intermixing practice problems*—students usually learn to perform one type of problem at a time, and then practice a group made-up of that same type of problem before moving on to learning a new type of problem. While it may be good to learn how to perform a single type of problem initially, it is more effective to practice the different types of problems all together than it is to only practice one type at a time (for example, practice a variety of multiplication, division, addition and subtraction problems together rather than only a set of multiplication problems).
2. Retrieval practice*—students should recall the information they have learned in order to keep it accessible for when they need to remember and apply it in the future.
3. Interleaved practice—students study one topic for a while and then switch to studying a different topic. For example, a student could alternate between sessions of studying psychology and then algebra.
4. Elaborative interrogation—students question why the information they are reading is true.
5. Self-explanation—students understand a process by explaining it to themselves.

*These were the most effective

Some people may be more surprised by the methods that were found to be least effective, however, because several of them are commonly taught in schools as helpful ways to study.

Out of the ten methods examined, five were found to be the least effective:

1. Highlighting or underlining text
2. Rereading text
3. Using images to learn something that is text-based
4. Keyword prompts (I used this technique in elementary school to memorize my states and capitals. For example, I have a little brother named Paul, and Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota. So anytime I heard Minnesota, I would picture a mini soda, and since the soda was miniature, I would imagine my little brother, Paul, drinking it.)
5. Summarizing the material

The least effective methods do work in certain cases, but not in all of them. While some of the least effective study strategies can still be useful, the research done in this study demonstrates that rereading or highlighting may not be the best use of your time, and there are other effective ways to study.

It could be helpful to experiment with the different study techniques tested in this study to see which one works best for you. There may be different subjects in which one is more helpful than another, and you do not need to just stick to using one technique.

More importantly, follow those tried-and-true methods to get yourself in the right mindset for learning, such as get enough sleep, make sure you are not hungry, take short frequent breaks during study sessions, avoid procrastinating, get some physical activity, etc. Check out this article for more information about these methods. Stay positive and try not to stress too much—you will be fine.

1. New research is coming out all the time.
2. Video games are evolving constantly. Thus, to the extent that the level of detail in the depictions of the violence could be having an impact, one would think that video games could have potentially greater negative (AND positive) effects as they evolve over time.
3. I worked hard to be both comprehensive and balanced in my approach. However, I am subject to various biases – but then again, so is everyone else.

So, please check out my summary below and stayed tuned for the final installment – What can parents do about it?

All you need is love, love, love is all you need.”

-The Beatles

Many people agree with The Beatles on this one, and with the happiness that love can bring it is no surprise that the pain we feel when a relationship comes to an end can be agonizing. Feelings may surface of confusion, hurt, loneliness, rejection, regret, vulnerability, anger, melancholy, or lowered self-esteem (internal link to self-esteem article). Not only are you experiencing loss of love, but also the loss of friendship and daily routine.

When love is everything you need, it can feel as though the end of a relationship is the end of everything you have known. You do only need love. However, the love that needs emphasizing is self-love.

 Who Is My True Self?
 Studies have found that people experience a loss of sense of self following a breakup, according to an NBC News article. When someone becomes a significant part of your life, it is natural that your life will be connected to their life in some areas and the way you think about yourself will be affected by them. When these types of relationships end, the resulting life change can bring on stress from losing that understanding you’ve come to know of yourself. Take the time after a breakup to remember what makes you a unique individual and rediscover your passions.

A Breakup Takes a Physical Toll on the Body
It is important to pay attention to yourself and understand what your body is physically going through after a breakup. A breakup is a high stress situation. According to an article in Psychology Today, the stress caused by the end of a relationship can lead to a weaker immune system, which leaves us more susceptible to illness. Additionally, the same area of the brain that is stimulated by a breakup is also one of the areas that is stimulated when we are physically hurt. We are actually having bodily pain. Lastly, women who had not yet recovered from a breakup after 16 weeks experienced brain changes. Decreased brain activity was found in the areas associated with drive, focus and emotion.

Understanding Your Reactions Can Help
Realizing that it is normal to feel stress, trouble concentrating and confusion about oneself following a breakup could be beneficial to our well-being. When a person is already overwhelmed by a slew of emotions due to separating from a partner in the first place, these additional feelings might leave a feeling of further inadequacy when it comes to coping. Understanding that you are not alone in these feelings, and that there are physiological reasons behind them, may help you increase your resolve to move on and continue living the life you deserve. Once we understand why we are feeling a certain way, we can take the necessary steps to move on and recover. For some suggestions, look please see my next blog, How to Cope After a Breakup (coming soon!).

Part 1 - Introduction    Part 2 - Reasons for Concern   Part 3 – The Benefits of Video Games

Here’s that most recent video showing the evolution of violence in video games.

Think back to a time when you were trying to study while feeling tired, hungry or restless. Your eyes get heavy, thoughts drift to food or sleep, and you feel itchy in your own skin. No matter how much effort you put into focusing on your work it still seems to drag on endlessly. This is because you are attempting to work in conditions that are less than ideal for learning.

It can be very hard to focus your attention on work when there are distractions surrounding you, and even harder if the distractions are coming from within you. Making sure to take care of your body and mind is the first step to creating conditions that are conducive to learning.

Help Yourself Study

Some ways for students to prepare both before and while studying are:

• Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to trouble focusing and a lack of concentration. According to webmd.com, not getting enough sleep can weaken learning capacity and later recollection of information.
• Sleep within a few hours of studying. Research conducted on students who received around six or more hours of sleep each night found that those students who slept after learning remembered more than those who stayed awake. Sleeping appears to help seal in the recently learned information, specifically the type of learning necessary to create new associations. Another study found that napping after learning new information can also help retain the information.
• Eat well. This includes eating the right amount and eating nutritious foods. Aside from the simple distraction of feeling hungry, studies have found that concentration is improved by healthy eating. Avoid eating foods high in sugar and fat because these cause energy levels to spike rather than remain stable. Some healthy snacks include: oatmeal with a spoonful of peanut butter and berries, an apple and cheese, yogurt with a handful of nuts, a glass of chocolate milk, or bread spread with mashed avocado and topped with sliced cucumber.
• Take short, regular breaks. An article in The New York Times discussed recent research which further evidences the idea that frequent breaks are more beneficial to productivity and creativity than working straight through mental tasks. This is because the mind gets weary and needs that time to rest and restore. The recommended amount of time that should be spent taking a break varies, ranging from a 15 minute break for every 30 minutes spent studying to a 10 minute break for every hour spent studying. Break ideas include: reading a book or magazine, deep breathing exercises, stepping outside to enjoy the fresh air, stretching, spending time with an animal, drinking tea or another beverage, or going for a short walk. [link to the forest bathing article here?]

Students Share Their Strategies

Some other study tips that students have shared include:

• Not studying on the day of the test
• Chewing gum while studying
• Listening to classical music or focus music (YouTube is a good resource for this)
• Study in a clean room
• Walking backwards before an exam (There may be something behind this. A Dutch  study found that after people walked a few steps backwards they had greater mental control.)

Where To Go From Here

Making sure to create a nice, comfortable atmosphere for learning can make the experience more effective and enjoyable. Find what works for you and stick to it, but continue experimenting from time to time. After you’ve prepared yourself to study, the next step is to ensure the way that you are studying is the most effective use of your time, and I will cover this topic in a subsequent post.

Photo by Joyce Eccleston

You are probably familiar with the terms “introvert” and “extrovert,” and you may even identify yourself as one or the other, but sometimes people are not aware of the actual meaning of each.

Introvert, Extrovert and Ambivert Definitions

According to Meyers & Briggs, the terms introversion and extroversion were originally coined by the founder of analytical psychology, Carl Jung, to describe the way in which a person finds energy. Extroverts tend to recharge by looking outside of themselves, with other people and external activities, while introverts tend to recharge within themselves, through their thoughts and time spent alone.

People experience moments of both extroversion and introversion, but have a tendency to lean towards one or the other. You could also be somewhere in-between, a term known as an ambivert.

According to an article in the Washington Post, the term ambivert was first used by social scientists in the 1920’s to describe someone who is neither exceptionally introverted nor exceptionally extroverted. The article describes the majority of people as ambiverts.

Misunderstandings in Communication

Communication between introverts and extroverts can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. For example, introverts are commonly seen as shy simply because they are quiet. The reality is that introverts may just be thinking to themselves and are content being quiet. Shyness, on the other hand, is an apprehensive feeling. A shy person does not want to be quiet. Of course, a person can be both introverted and shy, but the two are not synonymous with one another.

Improve Understanding and Interaction

Here are some things for introverts and extroverts to keep in mind when interacting with one another, inspired by an article from Psychology Today:

• Extroverts are more likely to multitask than introverts. Introverts prefer to focus on one project and devote more time to it.
• Introverts tend to spend more time planning and making decisions than extroverts.
• Introverts prefer meaningful discussions over small talk. Introverts should acknowledge that extroverts enjoy small talk.
• Although introverts recharge by being alone, they still enjoy socializing with people. Do not assume an introvert does not want to talk with you.
• If introverts are being quiet during a group discussion it does not mean that they are not paying attention or they have nothing to contribute. An introvert is more likely to take time to listen and process the information before speaking.
• Sometimes introverts will need to later process information they have taken in when they are alone.
• Ambiverts have both introverted and extroverted characteristics.
• None of these personality traits is best. Do not try to change someone who is introverted or extroverted. Keep an open mind so that you can comfortably and effectively interact with each other.

Knowing whether you are an introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in-between can help you to understand your own reactions and others’ reactions to certain situations in life. Accept yourself and others, and appreciate the perspectives that both introverts and extroverts bring to the table.

One thing I wish I had mentioned (I don’t rehearse these video blogs, and this one I did in one take, much of the top of my head) is that Minecraft is a great example of a game that fosters creativity. Virtually every kid/teen boy I run into plays this game (I’m sure many men, girls, and women do as well). My two older boys (ages 6 & 9), plus many of their classmates and neighborhood friends, play this game a lot. There’s a huge, open-ended environment that allows players to “craft” tools, armor, weapons, castles and so on. It’s non-linear, there are many ways to play it (creative and survival modes, for instance) as well as many “mods” (plug-ins made by the Minecraft community) that allow players to further adjust their game play in innovative ways. The graphics are very rudimentary (in a charming, retro way) and the violence is not the basis of the game and is not graphic.

On a different note, I just read an article referencing a journal publication on how action video games can improve reading skills and might help remediate dyslexia to some extent because of improvements to visual attention. Now, a lot more research still needs to be done, but it just goes to show their are endless ways that video games can be used to improve lives and bring out the best in us…at least at times. I guess the bottom line is that if one is to say video games can be “bad” for kids/teens in ways because of their content, the way they effect the brain, emotions, etc., then one can say they can be used to influence us in positive ways as well. With judicious “use” of video games, we can reap the many benefits they can provide and avoid the potential negatives.

Now, here’s that video!