Video Game Cognition

TA Lecture

What is the big question about video games?

whether they are good or bad for the brain and cognition

What is attention?

the ability to focus on stimulus, measured by doing tasks

What is cognitive load?

the mental demand placed on cognitive resources during problems solving

What are the types of cognitive load?

intrinsic and extraneous

What is intrinsic?

the actual mental effort needed to understand a piece of information, based on how complex the information is and your existing knowledge

What is extraneous?

mental effort spent on things that don't help with learning, often due to poorly designed instruction or distractions

What is processing speed?

how fast one can process and respond to information

What is working memory?

the ability to hold and use information briefly

What are the two types of intelligence?

crystallized and fluid

What is crystallized intelligence?

how well you apply acquired knowledge and procedures (ex vocabulary and knowledge)

What is fluid intelligence?

basic processes of reasoning, thinking, and abstraction that depend on little prior knowledge/education

What is near transfer?

changes in abilities similar to those that were trained

What is far transfer?

changes in abilities different from those that were trained

What is neuroplasticity?

the brain’s ability to rewire and adapt to new demands

How can video games help cognition?

through transfer and neuroplasticity, it can improve skills like memory and attention

What is Gaming Disorder?

excessive, harmful gaming behavior listed in ICD-11

What are adolescent risks factors for gaming addiction?

development of prefrontal cortex, peer pressure, and poor impulse control

What personality traits increase gaming addiction risk?

impulsivity, anxiety, aggression, poor decision-making

What cognitive difficulties do problematic gamers have?

trouble with attention, risky decisions, and probability estimation

What do studies like Basak et al. (2008) show?

video games can improve task-switching, working memory, and reasoning

What’s the conclusion about games and cogniiton?

they can help cognition but can also be harmful depending on the person and context