As the popularity of video games increases, a growing literature has begun to
examine the association of video game play with cognitive processes. An advantage in
cognitive control ability for video game players (VGPs) compared to nongamers (nVGPs)
has been suggested by a number of recent studies. Miyake et al. (2000) identify three
separable components of cognitive control: ability to shift mental set, updating and
monitoring of working memory, and ability to inhibit automatic responses. In three sets of
experiments, we investigated claims of a benefit in cognitive control for VGPs compared
to nVGPs. Chapter 2 used two task switching paradigms to examine the ability to shift
mental set, finding no difference in cognitive control between VGPs and nVGPs when
baseline differences in response speed were accounted for. In Chapter 3, a series of nback
experiments to investigate working memory demonstrated that VGPs display an
advantage in spatial processing, but not in cognitive control. Chapter 4 assessed group
differences using three measures of inhibitory control: flanker, Stroop, and go no-go
tasks. The results of these experiments suggest that VGPs may rely more on automaticitybased
response strategies than do nVGPs, but no group differences in cognitive control
were evident. Overall, the results of this dissertation dispute a growing literature that
assumes a cognitive control benefit for VGPs compared to nVGPs. Although VGPs
reliably show faster performance on a range of tasks used to assess cognitive control (e.g.,
task switching paradigms), when examined with careful methods, these observed
differences in performance are not attributable to differences in cognitive control ability. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Many people enjoy playing video games, and it is important to understand
whether playing these games is associated with differences in the way we think, or our
ability to complete tasks. Previous studies have claimed that playing video games is
associated with increased control over our ability to selectively respond to our
environment. This dissertation uses a series of experiments to compare the cognitive
control ability of video game players (VGPs), and people who do not play video games
(nVGPs). We tested their ability to switch between different tasks, to hold items in
memory, and to withhold responses. Results of these experiments suggest that although
VGPs may generally respond faster and process spatial information better than nVGPs,
there are no differences in cognitive control between VGPs and nVGPs.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/18056 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Conder, Julie |
| Contributors | Humphreys, Karin, Psychology |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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