Effects of videogame expertise on change detection abilities

Clark, Kait; Fleck, Mathias S; Mitroff, Stephen R

Abstract

Action video game players demonstrate enhanced performance
on perceptual tasks, but the underlying mechanisms of their benefits remain unclear. We examined gamers and non-gamers using a modified change-detection flicker paradigm in which image pairs were presented in individuated cycles (original image, blank screen, changed image).
Participants were given up to 15 cycles to find the change, and localization responses were collected each cycle. Gamers found the changes more quickly and accurately than non-gamers. Analysis of search patterns revealed strategy differences (e.g., gamers tended to be broader searchers) that may reveal the causal mechanisms of their benefits.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: Object Perception, Attention, and Memory
• Start Date: Nov 1, 2009
• End Date: Nov 1, 2009
• Acceptance Date: Aug 1, 2009
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2009
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/990713
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : Object Perception, Attention, and Memory