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Data from: A gamer's advantage: a visuospatial experiment

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Jun 25, 2020 version files 87.32 KB

Abstract

 To scrutinize the relationship of achievement in video games with performance on generalized visual cognition, this study utilized a change-detection based paradigm in which subjects attempted to accurately identify previously displayed images after a short period of processing time in order to discover a pre-established cognitive advantage that experienced video game players have over non-video game players in adolescents. This cognitive advantage will serve as evidence that video games possess variables that can improve visuospatial intelligence. Therefore, video games have the ability to differentiate individuals from their peers, and possibly alleviate cognitive deficits which will be discussed in the implications. To further validate the accuracy of this study a revised method was conducted after analyzing past investigations surrounding visual short term memory (VSTM). Participants were recruited through a high school Robotics program because those members are more likely than the general school population to play video games. They underwent both a pre-experiment and post-experiment survey giving information regarding their video game usage which was logged in a data table. Based on their video gameplay, they were divided into one of four categories ranging from true Action Video Game Players (AVGP) to true Non-Video Game Players (NVGP). Participants who fell in between the parameters were not excluded. The analysis of the data from the N-back task drew correlations based on accuracy, response time, and each Participant’s video game time. This study aimed to find a predisposed advantage among the individuals. A correlation between average video game time and excellence in the N-back task could provide sufficient evidence for further studies to investigate video games as an aid in VSTM which the N-back task gauges. With this new information, there can be future studies delving into how video games could be the vehicle to improve on VSTM and VWM to both distinguish individuals and correct visuospatial weakness.