Some video games can increase the player's creativity

David C. Moffat; William Crombie; Olga Shabalina

doi:10.4018/IJGBL.2017040103

Some video games can increase the player's creativity

David C. Moffat, William Crombie, Olga Shabalina

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

3124 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

It is said that playing video games might make people more creative. There is some evidence of an association, but no so far general theory about any psychological causes, or other key factors. In this study, we test the possibility that different sorts of video games may have different effects, on different types of creativity; or none at all. Three games were tested, including a sandbox and a puzzle game (Minecraft and Portal 2), and creativity was measured by the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT). The games were hound to have different effects, and on only some measures. We discuss possible accounts for these results, and offer practical suggestions to better control such studies in future. The strongest and most surprising result was that one particular form of creativity, flexibility, was affected much more than others. This finding awaits a theoretical explanation; but in the meantime, the implication is that video games could be used to put students into a more creative state of mind, which may be useful for their learning.

Original language	English
Number of pages	12
Journal	International Journal of Game-Based Learning
Volume	7
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4018/IJGBL.2017040103
Publication status	Published - Jun 2017

Keywords

Creativity
Divergent thinking
Enjoyment
Game genre
Puzzle games
Sandbox games
Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT)
Video games

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Education
Developmental and Educational Psychology

Documents and Links

10.4018/IJGBL.2017040103

Moffat, D. (2017) Some video games can increase the player's creativity
The International Journal of Game-Based Learning (IJGBL) (ISSN 2155-6849; eISSN 2155-6857), Copyright © 2017 IGI Global. All rights, including translation into other languages reserved by the publisher. No part of this journal may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher, except for noncommercial, educational use including classroom teaching purposes. Product or company names used in this journal are for identification purposes only. Inclusion of the names of the products or companies does not indicate a claim of ownership by IGI Global of the trademark or registered trademark. The views expressed in this journal are those of the authors but not necessarily of IGI Global.
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Cite this

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Some video games can increase the player's creativity

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Documents and Links

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