Media
Short-Term Effects of Playing Computer Games on Attention
Thu, 29/04/2010 - 07:08 | 
Jason Rutter
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
Objective: The main aim of the present study is to investigate the short-term cognitive effects of computer games in children with different psychiatric disorders and normal controls. Method: One hundred one children are recruited for the study (aged between 9 and 12 years). All participants played a motor-racing game on the computer for 1 hour. The TBAG form of the Stroop task was administered to all participants twice, before playing and immediately after playing the game. Results: Participants with improved posttest scores, compared to their pretest scores, used the computer on average 0.67 ± 1.1 hr/day, while the average administered was measured at 1.6 ± 1.4 hr/day and 1.3 ± 0.9 hr/day computer use for participants with worse or unaltered scores, respectively. According to the regression model, male gender, younger ages, duration of daily computer use, and ADHD inattention type were found to be independent risk factors for worsened posttest scores. Conclusion: Time spent playing computer games can exert a short-term effect on attention as measured by the Stroop test. (J. of Att. Dis. 2010; 13(6) 668-676)
Evaluation of an Immersive Learning Programme to Support Triage Training In-game Feedback and its effect on Learning Transfer
Mon, 18/01/2010 - 10:50 | Jason Rutter
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
This paper describes the evaluation of a computer game to support triage training. Triage is a process for decision-making that prioritises mass casualties in terms of treatment. The main aim of the research was to test the hypothesis that participants using the game for practice would perform better in terms of the accuracy in applying the triage protocol than a group that practised triage with a table-top exercise. The method of giving in-game formative feedback to the learner was modified within the trial programme and that provided the opportunity to investigate whether changing the complexity and timing of feedback affected learning transfer through performance measured in a realistic assessment activity. The results showed that the participants who practised using the game were significantly more accurate for certain measures of performance in applying the triage protocol. The participants that received a modified in-game feedback that reduced complexity and the delay in giving feedback were also significantly more accurate for certain measures of performance in triaging the casualties. These findings will require further experimentation to determine which attributes of the in-game feedback have the greatest impact on the learning of the triage protocol for the given learner group.
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Tags: Amp, evaluation, feedback, Feedback, learning transfer, Media, serious games, Triage
Gender differences in video game characters' roles, appearances, and attire as portrayed in video game magazines
Thu, 29/11/2007 - 13:20 | Jason Rutter
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
Video game characters have the potential to shape players' perceptions of gender roles. Through social comparison processes, players learn societal expectations of appearances, behaviors and roles. Forty-nine articles were coded from current U.S. gaming magazines, resulting in 115 coded characters. This content analysis of video game magazine articles investigated how characters are portrayed, focusing on gender differences. Males were more likely to be heroes and main characters, use more weapons, have more abilities, and were more muscular and powerful. Females were more often supplemental characters, more attractive, sexy, and innocent, and also wore more revealing clothing. Understanding these video game messages is an important first step in understanding the effects games and magazines may have on behavior and attitudes.
Add new comment | 2435 reads | Tags: Academia, Education, Gender, Gender, Gender Differences, Gender role, Gender studies, Human behavior, Media, Media effects, Science, Social psychology, Technology, Technology, Video game, Video Games
Violent video game play impacts facial emotion recognition
Thu, 11/10/2007 - 12:39 | Jason Rutter
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
This study assessed the speed of recognition of facial emotional expressions (happy and angry) as a function of violent video game play. Color photos of calm facial expressions morphed to either an angry or a happy facial expression. Participants were asked to make a speeded identification of the emotion (happiness or anger) during the morph. Typically, happy faces are identified faster than angry faces (the happy-face advantage). Results indicated that playing a violent video game led to a reduction in the happy face advantage. Implications of these findings are discussed with respect to the current models of aggressive behavior.
Add new comment | 1079 reads | Tags: Communication, Emoticon, EMOTION, Emotion, Facial expression, Media, Reaction time, RECOGNITION, Technology, Technology, Video Games, Violence, World Wide Web
Industry evolution and cross-sectoral skill transfers: a comparative analysis of the video game industry in Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom
Mon, 09/04/2007 - 15:07 | Jason Rutter
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
In this paper we explore the interrelationship between technological progress and the formation of industry-specific skills by analysing the evolution of the video-game industry in three countries: Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. We argue that the cross-sectoral transfer of skills occurs differently depending on national contexts, such as the social legitimacy and strength of preexisting industries, the socioeconomic status of entrepreneurs or pioneer firms in an emerging industry, and the sociocultural cohesiveness between the preexisting and emerging industries. Each country draws on a different set of creative resources, which results in a unique trajectory. Whereas Japan's video-game industry emerged out of corporate sponsorships in arcades, toys, and consumer electronics industries and drew skills from the comic book and animated-film sectors, the video-game industry in the United States evolved from arcades and personal computers. In the United Kingdom the video-game industry developed bottom-up, through a process of skills formation in the youth culture of 'bedroom coders' that nurtured self-taught programmers in their teens throughout the country.
Add new comment | 1268 reads | Tags: ACE, Competitive Dynamics, CULTURAL INDUSTRIES, ECONOMY, Flexible Specialization, GROWTH, Industries, Innovation, Labor-Market, London, Mass media, Media, Motion-Picture Industry, PION LTD, Publishing, Social Issues, systems, United Kingdom, United States, Video game, Video game industry
Virtual driving and risk taking: Do racing games increase risk-taking cognitions, affect, and behaviors?
Mon, 09/04/2007 - 15:07 | Jason Rutter
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
Research has consistently shown that aggressive video console and PC games elicit aggressive cognitions, affect, and behaviors. Despite the increasing popularity of racing (driving) games, nothing is known about the psychological impact of this genre. This study investigated whether playing racing games affects cognitions, affect, and behaviors that can promote risk taking in actual road traffic situations. In Study 1, the authors found that the frequency of playing racing games was positively associated with competitive driving, obtrusive driving, and car accidents; a negative association with cautious driving was observed. To determine cause and effect, in Study 2, the authors manipulated whether participants played I of 3 racing games or I of 3 neutral games. Participants who played a racing game subsequently reported a higher accessibility of cognitions and affect positively associated with risk taking than did participants who played a neutral game. Finally, on a more behavioral level, in Study 3, the authors found that men who played a racing game subsequently took higher risks in computer-simulated critical road traffic situations than did men who played a neutral game. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Add new comment | 2891 reads | Tags: Accidents, Aggression, Aggressive-Behavior, children, Drivers, Feelings, Gender, Media, memory, Racing video game, Technology, Technology, Thoughts, Video game controversy, Violence in video games, Violent Video Games, WASHINGTON, Washington
Phasic emotional reactions to video game events: A psychophysiological investigation
Mon, 09/04/2007 - 15:07 | Jason Rutter
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
We examined emotional valence- and arousal-related phasic psychophysiological responses to different video game events among 36 young adults who played Super Monkey Ball 2 (Sega Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Event-related changes in zygomaticus trial. or, corrugator supercilii, and orhicularis oculi electromyographic activity, skin conductance level, and cardiac interbeat intervals were recorded. Instantaneous game events elicited reliable psychophysiological responses indexing valence and arousal. A largely linear, positive dose-response relationship between rewards obtained in the game and phasic increases in arousal was revealed. The valence of the emotional response varied as a function of the player's active participation (active coping). In addition, not only positive events, but also some putatively negative events elicited positively valenced arousal. The findings extend our understanding of the phasic changes in the emotional state during video games and a dynamic flow of events and action and may have several applied implications (e.g., for game design).
Add new comment | 851 reads | Tags: Aggressive Thoughts, Arousal, Attention, Cardiovascular Reactivity, Company Location, Corrugator supercilii muscle, Facial electromyography, Facial expression, Facial Expressions, Feelings, Japan, LAWRENCE ERLBAUM ASSOC INC, Media, Messages, Neuropsychology, Neuroscience, Physiological-Responses, Pictures, Psychology, Psychophysiology, Sega Corporation, Small Screen, Technology, Technology, Tokyo, Valence
The Lara phenomenon: Powerful female characters in video games
Mon, 09/04/2007 - 15:07 | Jason Rutter
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
The content of games is an understudied area in social scientific research about video games. The purpose of the present study is to contribute to the understanding of the portrayal of gender and race in games. Previous research on game content has revealed that stereotypical masculine characters dominate video games and that those characters are generally White. Nowadays, quite a few video games have women in leading parts; Tomb Raider's Lara Croft is the prototypical example. In our study we investigated the so-called 'Lara phenomenon,' that is, the appearance of a competent female character in a dominant position. We also studied the portrayal of men and the race of both male and female characters. We did a content analysis on the introductory films of 12 contemporary video games. Our results show that female characters appeared as often in leading parts as male characters did. They were portrayed with a sexualized emphasis on female features. Most game characters belonged to the dominant White race, the heroes exclusively so.
Add new comment | 1067 reads | Tags: Aggressive-Behavior, Games, Gender, Gender role, Gender studies, Lara Croft, Lara Croft, Mass media, Media, New York, Platform games, Technology, Technology, Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider series, Video game, Violence
Pain and musculoskeletal pain syndromes related to computer and video game use in adolescents
Mon, 09/04/2007 - 11:43 | Jason Rutter
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the presence of pain and musculoskeletal pain syndromes in adolescents and associate them to computer and video game use. A cross-sectional study was performed on the entire adolescent population (n=833) of a private situated in the city of Sao Paulo. The research included a questionnaire and physical examination of the musculoskeletal system. Statistical analysis was carried out with Fisher, chi-square, Mann Whitney tests and logistic regression. A total of 791 adolescent was evaluated. A computer was used by 99% and video games by 58%. Pain was reported by 312 (39.4%) students: 23% complained of back pain, 9% of upper limb pain, 4% of diffuse pain and 4% of pain in the trapezium muscle. A clinical examination was carried out in 359 students, and one or more musculoskeletal pain syndromes were present in 56 students (15.6%): benign joint hypermobility syndrome in 10%, myofascial syndrome in 5%, tendonitis in 2% and fibromyalgia in 1%. In the multivariate analysis, the logistical regression showed that the independent variables in the prediction of pain were sex [odds ratio (OR): 2.19, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.33-3.61] and age (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.07-1.28) and that the prediction of musculoskeletal pain syndromes were sex (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 1.69-6.22) and number of days a week using the computer (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.05-1.42). However, the variations in the dependent variables by the mathematical regression models were low. Despite the frequent use of computer and video games among adolescents, this was not associated with the presence of pain and musculoskeletal pain syndromes.
Add new comment | 838 reads | Tags: adolescent, Back pain, children, Computer, Disorders, fibromyalgia, Fibromyalgia, hypermobility, Hypermobility, Media, Medicine, Musculoskeletal disorders, Myalgia, MYOFASCIAL PAIN, Myofascial pain syndrome, Pain, Pain, Physical-Activity, Population, Prevalence, REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY, Repetitive strain injury, Rheumatology, RISK, Sao Paulo, Symptoms, Syndromes, Technology, Technology, Video Game
Content and ratings of mature-rated video games
Mon, 09/04/2007 - 10:55 | Jason Rutter
New entry in Digiplay games research bibliography:
Objectives: To quantify the depiction of violence, blood, sexual themes, profanity, substances, and gambling in video games rated M (for "mature") and to measure agreement between the content observed and the rating information provided to consumers on the game box by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. Design: We created a database of M-rated video game titles, selected a random sample, recorded at least 1 hour of game play, quantitatively assessed the content, performed statistical analyses to describe the content, and compared our observations with the Entertainment Software Rating Board content descriptors and results of our prior studies. Setting: Harvard University, Boston, Mass. Participants: Authors and 1 hired game player. Main Exposure: M-rated video games. Main Outcome Measures: Percentages of game play depicting violence, blood, sexual themes, gambling, alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs; use of profanity in dialogue, song lyrics, or gestures. Results: Although the Entertainment Software Rating Board content descriptors for violence and blood provide a good indication of such content in the game, we identified 45 observations of content that could warrant a content descriptor in 29 games (81%) that lacked these content descriptors. M-rated video games are significantly more likely to contain blood, profanity, and substances; depict more severe injuries to human and non-human characters; and have a higher rate of human deaths than video games rated T (for "teen"). Conclusion: Parents and physicians should recognize that popular M-rated video games contain a wide range of unlabeled content and may expose children and adolescents to messages that may negatively influence their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors.
Add new comment | 1185 reads | Tags: Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, Censorship, Entertainment Software Rating Board, Entertainment Software Rating Board Interactive, Harvard University, Boston, Human Interest, Human Interest, Media, Motion Picture Association of America film rating system, Pan European Game Information, Technology, Technology, Video game content ratings systems, Video game industry, Violence
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