The computer game "Tetris" has long gained cult status and has been the subject of numerous studies and experiments. More recently, in early October, scientists at the University of Washington used the game to demonstrate BrainNet technology, which allows them to control figures with the power of thought. Emotion magazine published the results of a new study, which proves that the folding of various figures allows you to quickly enter into a state of flow and relieve tension in stressful situations.
A new study was conducted at the University of California, Riverside by psychologist Kate Sweeney. According to her, the streaming state makes it easier to relive the stressful moments of life, as the people in it lose their sense of space and time and concentrate fully on the activity. The term was coined in 1975 by the psychologist Michaliy Ciszentmihali, fascinated by artists who, in the process of creation, forgot to even eat.
According to Kate Sweeney, Tetris is the best game to enter the stream due to the increasing complexity. Hold attention and constant motivation reinforce the effect - the same feature is in the mobile game Candy Crush, which even Kate plays.
To prove the assertion, the researchers gave California law school graduates to play Tetris, awaiting exam results. The same was recommended for students applying for a job. In both cases, the subjects felt less anxiety while focused on the game.
The third experiment was the most interesting. The researchers asked 290 students to fill out questionnaires and submit their own photos. They were told that their data would be transferred to students from other universities to assess their attractiveness. Of course, this caused great anxiety, but the subjects were divided into three groups and allowed to play in three versions of Tetris.
The first group played a regular version with a gradually increasing complexity. The second was occupied by an easy option, where the figures were falling so slowly that they caused boredom. The third group went to "Tetris" with quickly falling figures, because of which the students quickly lost. The survey showed that players in the normal version with increasing difficulty quickly entered the flow state and experienced a minimum of stress.
Kate Sweeney noted that Tetris is not a panacea for all anxiety, but it clearly has positive properties. The game is available to almost every person, so it is believed that it is a good start to deal with stress.
Do you like Tetris?