Questionnaire for anyone to complete

[minisaiyan]

Hi all, im doing a research project at college entitled "An analysis of the growth of computer gaming and an overview of potential effects of this". It may be a long shot but im just wondering if some people from the community would be willing to fill out a questionnaire for me.
If when answering you could try to make it obvious in some form which question you are answering and keep answers seperate by a line + maybe some color, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, do not feel obliged to answer all questions, naturally the more the better, but if you feel unwilling or unable to answer any question, miss it out.

Also, feel free to pm me your responses, and I asssure you they will remain undisclosed and used solely for the purposes of my project.

Questionnaire in spoiler for anyone feeling nice
[spoiler]What is your age?:

What gender are you?:

What would you consider a reasonable time per week to spend on video games for a student ages 15-21?:

On average, how long do you spend playing video games per week?:

Do you feel the amount of time you spend playing video games affects your social life negatively?:

If you answered yes to the previous question, please expand upon the affects?:

Have you ever known someone personally to be affected negatively by video games?:

Would you say video games in general are a positive or negative influence socially on adolescents? why?:

Would you say any video games in particular have more effect than others may do on adolescants? why?[/spoiler]

I'd like to thank everyone in advance for any cooperation I may receive.

[Quina Quen]

What is your age?: 24 years old.

What gender are you?: Male.

What would you consider a reasonable time per week to spend on video games for a student ages 15-21?: 6-10 hours.

On average, how long do you spend playing video games per week?: 12-15 hours.

Do you feel the amount of time you spend playing video games affects your social life negatively?: Yes and no as online gaming has now become a socially acceptable thing to do. Engaging with friends and relatives over online games is fun, usually cost-free and often leads to banter and rapport in face to face situations. However, spending excessive amounts of time on video games would directly affect my physical and emotional health via virtue of 'not getting outside the house' and could and probably would affect my social life.

If you answered yes to the previous question, please expand upon the affects?: See above.

Have you ever known someone personally to be affected negatively by video games?: I've known people to 'disappear' for months and become 'hermits' playing World of Warcraft. On the rare occasion you do see them they look pale, are usually unshaven (for weeks) and suddenly seem to lack their original social skills.

Would you say video games in general are a positive or negative influence socially on adolescents? why?: Both. Like alcohol for example - in moderation.

Would you say any video games in particular have more effect than others may do on adolescants? why? The jury is still out on that, and despite the complaints from parents concerning how 'damaging' video games are for young people, there doesn't seem to be any conclusive evidence. In my opinion though, I would have thought that games that involve adult related material could have a negative affect on young people socially such as tendencies towards crime and drugs, but only for genuinely stupid people who fail to realise that GTA and the like are not real.

[minisaiyan]

Thanks very much mate

[Rn5ho]

What is your age?: 20

What gender are you?: male

What would you consider a reasonable time per week to spend on video games for a student ages 15-21?: 15-20h

On average, how long do you spend playing video games per week?: 10-15h~

Do you feel the amount of time you spend playing video games affects your social life negatively?: not at all

If you answered yes to the previous question, please expand upon the affects?: /

Have you ever known someone personally to be affected negatively by video games?: yes

Would you say video games in general are a positive or negative influence socially on adolescents? why?: depends on amount of time spent playing games. But mostly negative.

Would you say any video games in particular have more effect than others may do on adolescants? why? yes - more or less all online games have greater effect, people spend all days playing them = no social life.

[minisaiyan]

Thanks

[Noobert]

What is your age?:
22

What gender are you?:
Male

What would you consider a reasonable time per week to spend on video games for a student ages 15-21?:
15-20 hours.

On average, how long do you spend playing video games per week?:
30-40 hours.

Do you feel the amount of time you spend playing video games affects your social life negatively?:
Yes, and no.

If you answered yes to the previous question, please expand upon the affects?:
If the friends of yours that you would normally socialize do not have the same video game as you, it will hinder it but if you have the same video game it can enhance it and make things more fun.

Have you ever known someone personally to be affected negatively by video games?:
Yes.

Would you say video games in general are a positive or negative influence socially on adolescents? why?:
Negative. The internet is a harsh place, it is ruthless and can scar an individual for life at any age if you are not careful as to what you listen or view.

Would you say any video games in particular have more effect than others may do on adolescants? why?
Yes, and no. It depends souly upon the game. Certain games train the mind, where as other games train the reaction time and skill with your eyes to pick out certain objects at a distance.

I've gamed almost all of my life, and it has taught me many things in life. It's taught me to be patient with people because no matter how bad somebody is at something, they can always get better.

People look down on gaming, thinking it can teach you nothing but that is only if don't let it. I've learned most of what I know now from the internet and gaming since I had nobody to teach me anything.

[Bromas]

What is your age?:
15
What gender are you?:
Male
What would you consider a reasonable time per week to spend on video games for a student ages 15-21?:
12
On average, how long do you spend playing video games per week?:
20
Do you feel the amount of time you spend playing video games affects your social life negatively?:
No, I play with my friends.
Have you ever known someone personally to be affected negatively by video games?:
Yes, He prestiged in a day so we all ripped into him about it
Would you say video games in general are a positive or negative influence socially on adolescents? why?:
Positive, it is a way to talk and connect when it is dark, heavily raining, heavily snowing, when someone is ill.
Would you say any video games in particular have more effect than others may do on adolescants? why?
Yes, Bratz games or barbie games... Adolescents would get bullied for playing them.

[Psyko]

What is your age?:
22

What gender are you?:
Female

What would you consider a reasonable time per week to spend on video games for a student ages 15-21?:
10-12 hours

On average, how long do you spend playing video games per week?:
5-7 hours, more if I am determined to finish a game

Do you feel the amount of time you spend playing video games affects your social life negatively?:
Not for me, personally. But I do believe it affects the social lives of those who play more than 20 hours each week.

If you answered yes to the previous question, please expand upon the affects?:
In recent years, there has been a decline in the younger generation's ability to physically interact in a social environment with their peers. Their online/gaming persona can be a lot more bold than they are able to be in live interactions. They might also lack the ability to read body language or social cues, because they no longer interact with their peers on a physical level. Again, the effects are greater for those who spend more of their lives playing video games.

Have you ever known someone personally to be affected negatively by video games?:
Yes. Aside from the emotional stress and frustration that a game can bring to a person, there is also the physical effect of Vitamin D deficiency, lack of physical exertion, and poor diet choices.

Would you say video games in general are a positive or negative influence socially on adolescents? why?:
Socially, I would say mostly negative. While online gaming can be a blessing for those who do not have friends in real life, it can also be a detriment to their social life with their real life friends. When I was younger, groups of friends would hang out at someone's house and play video games together. Now they all go to their separate homes and put on headsets or pull up IM programs and play together that way. The social interaction is no longer the same, and I would argue the new way of gaming is less fun.

There are also the positive effects on increasing mental accuity, hand-eye coordination, and problem solving skills. More and more, there are games that will make the player think. But those effects have nothing to do with socialization.

Would you say any video games in particular have more effect than others may do on adolescants? why?
I think most games have their own benefits (see last paragraph of above answer) and influences on adolescants. Their first video game is probably the most influential, however, and it will likely influence future game purchases.

[Ashu]

What gender are you?:
Male

What would you consider a reasonable time per week to spend on video games for a student ages 15-21?:
28 hours per week should be enough. Unless it's a great game or a family thing

On average, how long do you spend playing video games per week?:
26-27 hours per week.

Do you feel the amount of time you spend playing video games affects your social life negatively?:
No, not really.

If you answered yes to the previous question, please expand upon the affects?:
---

Have you ever known someone personally to be affected negatively by video games?:
Yes, I've had friends that lost girlfriends, their personal lives and even scholarships to vydia.

Would you say video games in general are a positive or negative influence socially on adolescents? why?:
I think video games, being played regularly but not obsessively have a positive influence socially on adolescents. It helps then break into a comunity, develope social and team skills and allow them to expand their verbal skill set.

Would you say any video games in particular have more effect than others may do on adolescants? why?
I would say shooters and MMO's/RPG's have more effect on adolescents. In the first case because of the violence directed at the player and in the second case because of the immersion required to fully understand the game.

[minisaiyan]

Thanks all, much appreciated

[Jack]

What is your age?: 25

What gender are you?: Male

What would you consider a reasonable time per week to spend on video games for a student ages 15-21?: ALL YOUR FREE TIMEZ!

On average, how long do you spend playing video games per week?: Probably 20 hours or more.

Do you feel the amount of time you spend playing video games affects your social life negatively?: Not at all, it actually has a positive effect. I'm able to better connect to my coworkers whom also game. It means that when I am stuck at home, I have an additional outlet to spend time and enjoy the company of friends. LAN parties and the like are a good way to get together and have fun. But even playing games as much as I do, my life still does not revolve around them. I still find time to go out to the bar or go play pool maybe get a bite. Just generally hang out with my friends while doing something other than playing games. I have some of the best social skills of anyone I know. At least when it comes to meeting new people and interacting with strangers. Any social downfalls I may have, are definitely not the result of my gaming, but rather other factors not related.

If you answered yes to the previous question, please expand upon the affects?:

Have you ever known someone personally to be affected negatively by video games?: Yes, mostly WoW addicts.

Would you say video games in general are a positive or negative influence socially on adolescents? why?: They're a positive influence. Besides the physiological psychological benefits such as improved hand-eye coordination and higher situational awareness. It also has a positive influence on social lives. Like movies, it gives people a common ground for discussion. Unlike movies, when you're home alone you do not have to enjoy them alone. You still have the option of interacting with people online.

Would you say any video games in particular have more effect than others may do on adolescants? why? Some games may scar some children more than others, for instance horror games may scare children and leave a lasting impact on their psyche. But no truly profound differences. No more so than any other form of media anyway.