Are Gamers Better Crossers? An Examination of Action Video Game Experience and Dual Task Effects in a Simulated Street Crossing Task

    Authors

    J. G. Gaspar; M. B. Neider; J. A. Crowell; A. Lutz; H. Kaczmarski;A. F. Kramer

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Hum. Factors

    Keywords

    video games; pedestrian safety; distraction; dual task performance; EXECUTIVE CONTROL; ATTENTION; PLAYERS; PERCEPTION; BEHAVIOR; TALKING; WALKING; MEMORY; COSTS; Behavioral Sciences; Engineering, Industrial; Ergonomics; Psychology, ; Applied; Psychology

    Abstract

    Objective: A high-fidelity street crossing simulator was used to test the hypothesis that experienced action video game players are less vulnerable than nongamers to dual task costs in complex tasks. Background: Previous research has shown that action video game players outperform nonplayers on many single task measures of perception and attention. It is unclear, however, whether action video game players outperform nonplayers in complex, divided attention tasks. Method: Experienced action video game players and nongamers completed a street crossing task in a high-fidelity simulator. Participants walked on a manual treadmill to cross the street. During some crossings, a cognitively demanding working memory task was added. Results: Dividing attention resulted in more collisions and increased decision making time. Of importance, these dual task costs were equivalent for the action video game players and the nongamers. Conclusion These results suggest that action video game players are equally susceptible to the costs of dividing attention in a complex task. Application: Perceptual and attentional benefits associated with action video game experience may not translate to performance benefits in complex, real-world tasks.

    Journal Title

    Human Factors

    Volume

    56

    Issue/Number

    3

    Publication Date

    1-1-2014

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    443

    Last Page

    452

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000334632200002

    ISSN

    0018-7208

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