The computer game “Tetris” has acquired cult status and became a subject of numerous researches and experiments. Most recently, in early October, scientists from the University of Washington used the game to demo BrainNet, allowing to control the shapes using the power of thought. The journal Emotion published a new study which proves that the folding of different shapes allows you to quickly enter a state of flow and ease tension in stressful situations.
A new study conducted at the University of California riverside psychologist Kate Sweeny. According to her, the stream state makes it easier to survive the stressful moments of life, as people lose their sense of space and time and fully concentrate on the activity. The term was coined in 1975 by psychologist Mahaliem Essentially, enamored with artists who are in the creative process he even forgot to eat.
According to Kate Sweeney, “Tetris” is the best game to enter the stream due to the increasing difficulty. Holding the attention and motivation enhance the effect — the same feature is and mobile game Candy Crush, played by even the Kate.
To prove the assertion, the researchers gave a game of “Tetris” graduates of law schools in California awaiting examination results. The same was recommended for the students who applied for the job. In both cases, the subjects felt less anxiety while he was concentrated on the game.
The third experiment was the most interesting. The researchers asked 290 students to fill out questionnaires and to take own photos. They were told that their data will be transferred to the students from other universities to assess their attractiveness. Of course, it caused strong concern, but the subjects were divided into three groups and allowed to play in the three versions of “Tetris”.
The first group played the regular version, with gradually increasing complexity. The second was occupied by a slight variant where the pieces fall so slowly that caused boredom. The third group got “Tetris” with fast-falling shapes, which the students quickly lost. The survey showed that players in the regular version, with increasing complexity, quickly entered the state of flow and experienced the least stress.
Kate Sweeney noted that “Tetris” is not a panacea for all troubles, but he clearly has positive properties. The game is available to almost everyone, therefore, considered that it is a good beginning for dealing with stress.
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