Cognitive Callisthenics: Do FPS computer games enhance the player's cognitive abilities?

Publication Type  Proceedings Article
Year of Publication  2005
Authors  Kearney,Paul
Conference Name  DiGRA 2005 Conference: Changing Views--Worlds in Play
Conference Start Date  16/06/2005
Conference Location  Vancouver, British Columbia
Key Words  FPS; Cognitive abilities; Multitasking; Multiplayer
Abstract  

This document details an initial study into cognitive abilities that may be enhanced from playing computer games. Using a neuro-psychological assessment software package titled SynWin, participants were tested for their ability to function in a synthetic work environment. Scores were recorded and after playing computer games for specified lengths of time, the participants were tested again. The computer game employed was Counter Strike. This game is categorised as a first-person shooter (FPS), and is a multiplayer networked game. Differences between this game and other first-person shooters such as Quake III include the realism that Counter Strike achieves and the immersive qualities that surround that player. Different experiments were completed; group one, the control group, where the participants were tested three times without playing computer games between tests and group two where they were only tested twice, but played Counter Strike for two hours before the second test. This group showed a statistically significant improvement in their multitasking abilities. In summary, this study indicates that certain types of computer games can improve cognitive functions, and suggests further research to ascertain if these abilities are retained and what other skills can be enhanced by games similar to Counter Strike.

URL  http://www.digra.org/dl/db/06276.14516.pdf
0

Free Registration

Registered users have the added benefit of being able to:

  • Search/filter the bibliography to find just the article you are looking for. You can search the computer games research bibliography by author, year, keyword, title or publication type.
  • Export references from the video games bibliography to a format suitable for your own work. Options currently include tagged and XML for Endnote users and BibTex for the rest of the world.
  • Post comments to discuss the paper or alert fellow researchers to other resources.
  • Add their own references using the 'create content' -> 'biblio' option in the block on the left.
  • NEW: Use the Biblio Search box located on the right hand of the page.
  • NEW: Browse by journal title, book title, author or keyword using the new Faceted Search tool.