It is a little old fashioned to think that games and puzzles are just idle fun. They exercise our brain by forcing us to look for patterns between facts. They are all the better is they force us to exercise sides of ourselves that we aren’t use to using. The revolutionary thinkers behind the computer and internet development a generation ago understood this. Previously, many held the misconception that intelligence meant analytical thinking. Now we know that intelligence includes analytical thinking, but that there is much more beyond this.
Computer games over the years, especially anything that went beyond shooting at a target, often included a certain amount of lateral thinking. Escaping a trap, finding an object, or planning a strategy all required something more than logic, even as logic was part of the solution. And to be honest, even shooting accurately is a form of intelligence.
Forms of Intelligence:
- Linguistic – Language and memory skill. Finding the meaning in a narrative.
- Visual/Spatial – Ability to form mental images that are accurate, to navigate.
- Logic/mathematical – logic and reasoning, abstraction, critical thinking. Finding how cause and effect link.
- Music – awareness of pitch, rhythm, and aural patterns.
- Body Kinaesthetic – control of physical movement, anything from dancing to accurately aiming a weapon.
- Interpersonal – Ability to understand others and their motives. Useful for detective puzzles; what was the criminal’s motives.
- Intrapersonal – Ability to understand oneself, and predict reactions in different circumstances.
Some psychologists also include naturalistic intelligence and existential/spiritual intelligence.
Escape Room Game Sydney
Can puzzles and games increase our intelligence? It depends if you define intelligence as potential or ability. But if you mean getting your ability closer to your potential, then yes – puzzles make all the difference.
The ability to work with others is a type of intelligence, as much as solving puzzles and achieving goals. This is one reason why some companies use escape rooms for training activities. The activities encourage cooperation and make use of the group’s intelligence. We are always better for using something beyond our past experience.
Most visitors enjoy escape rooms for the same reason they enjoy video games – it’s just a good emotional adventure.