Gaming could help slay procrastination, University of Sask. researcher says
A University of Saskatchewan researcher says contrary to what many believe, video games aren't a drain on productivity and may actually help gamers achieve more once they set their controllers down.
A special lecturer in computer science at the university, Cody Phillips said his work is looking specifically at how to help people become more motivated.
“I'm investigating whether or not video games can be used as a way to help people to overcome procrastination,” he told CTV News.
The research is partly inspired by Phillips' experience at the start of the pandemic, where he found small video game breaks while working in isolation seemed to increase his productivity.
He and his team have been given a $25,000 grant from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada. The money will sustain the research for the next five years.
"I believe that if we use video games in the right way, that we can turn the problem into a solution," he said.
Phillips said he believed it was important to first understand procrastination.
“One of the reasons people generally procrastinate is because they are experiencing some sort of negative emotionality. If you're in a negative emotion, you tend to procrastinate. And so I believe that if we can kind of avoid those negative emotions through video games, then we can kind of get people to stop procrastinating.”
He said that there are already video games on the market that could serve this purpose.
“I think that a lot of games are already kind of doing this at the moment. It's just that people are often playing the wrong games in order to get this effect.”
According to Phillips, many games are designed to be played for an infinite amount of time.
“You can always play a new match or a new sort of level. I think that if we kind of reframe how we interact with games and just set goals for ourselves, like saying, 'I'm only going to play for one level,' I think we should be able to help people to break out of play and get back to whatever it is they need to be working on,” he said, adding it required some intentionality.
The idea stems from other work Phillips has done in helping people to overcome trauma or difficult experiences.
“For example, people who have played video games to overcome the death of a loved one and some rather heavy sort of topics like that. Continually I see this pattern of people using video games to effectively cope with and recover from difficult life events.”
He said he believed that video games can help people become more resilient.
“I believe that video games can also help people to sort of bounce back and beyond and kind of become even better through play. I'm trying to explore some of those benefits now as well.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.