Game nou

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Game nou(ゲーム脳)(literally "Game Brain") is a term invented by Akio Mori. He is a professor of Physical Education Humanities and Sciences division of Nihon University in Japan. He originally coined the term and presented the concept in his book "Game nou no kyofu (Fear of the game brain)" (published in July, 2002).

Amongst his writings is the description of an experiment designed to measure the effect of video games on human brain activity. He claims that the experiment demonstrates the existence of an "Adverse effect that video games have on the human brain". Game nou refers to these effects and the state of the brain.

The experiment, however, is not without criticisms of its scientific validity.

This book was nominated to "Nihon Tondemo-bon Taisho (Japan Weird Book Award)" in 2003.

The theory has gained some recognition in popular culture, especially among parents who believe that video gaming can have detrimental effects on child development. Often, when cases of juvenile delinquency and child misbehaviour is suspected to be a result of over-exposure to video games, Japanese media will often appeal to game nou as a possible explanation.

This is not limited to Japan, and an example of a video game condemned for its possible effect on the young and suggestible is Grand Theft Auto, which was banned in Australia for its violence and depiction of crime and prostitution.

Akio Mori is neither a brain scientist nor a psychologist. He is a PhD physiologist, his thesis concerning muscle.

His theory is considered pseudoscience by established neuroscientists and brain specialists. However, the concept has gained a popular following (though not always explicitly as game nou), and has in many instances affected local policy and decision making regarding the selling of games to minors. See Nounai osen(脳内汚染)(literally "Pollution in brain").