University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Division
The Effects of Video Gaming Habits on Attentional Control
Presenter Hometown
Frankfort, KY
Major
Psychology
Department
Psychology
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Sara Incera
Mentor Department
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Smith, Matthew T. and Incera, Sara, "The Effects of Video Gaming Habits on Attentional Control" (2021). University Presentation Showcase Event. 12.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2021/undergraduate/12
Abstract
We analyzed the effects of gaming habits on attentional control. We examined gaming habits along a continuum, rather than dichotomizing them between gamers and non-gamers. We investigated the effects of gaming habits on attentional control using a self-report questionnaire about video game habits and a cognitive measure (the Flanker task). We recruited 90 undergraduate students enrolled at Eastern Kentucky University. Participants first responded to the gaming habits questionnaire and then completed the Flanker task. Importantly, we found that participants who play video-games more hours a week performed better in the Flanker task than participants who play video-games fewer hours a week. However, we found that the genre of the video game (e.g., “Action” vs. “Strategy”) or the system used (e.g,. “Computer” vs. “Console”) did not predict performance in the Flanker task. Spending more hours playing video-games -independently of the specific game played- relates to enhanced levels of attentional control. These results are important because playing video games, an activity that is engaging and entertaining, can be a way to enhance attentional control in the general population. Higher levels of attentional control can translate to lower levels of cognitive decline later in life.
Presentation format
Poster
The Effects of Video Gaming Habits on Attentional Control
We analyzed the effects of gaming habits on attentional control. We examined gaming habits along a continuum, rather than dichotomizing them between gamers and non-gamers. We investigated the effects of gaming habits on attentional control using a self-report questionnaire about video game habits and a cognitive measure (the Flanker task). We recruited 90 undergraduate students enrolled at Eastern Kentucky University. Participants first responded to the gaming habits questionnaire and then completed the Flanker task. Importantly, we found that participants who play video-games more hours a week performed better in the Flanker task than participants who play video-games fewer hours a week. However, we found that the genre of the video game (e.g., “Action” vs. “Strategy”) or the system used (e.g,. “Computer” vs. “Console”) did not predict performance in the Flanker task. Spending more hours playing video-games -independently of the specific game played- relates to enhanced levels of attentional control. These results are important because playing video games, an activity that is engaging and entertaining, can be a way to enhance attentional control in the general population. Higher levels of attentional control can translate to lower levels of cognitive decline later in life.
