Cognitive Approach: Cognitive Processes in the Digital World

empathy

the ability to understand and share the feelings of another

altruism

unselfish concern for the welfare of others

Multitasking

performing multiple tasks at the same time

Rosser et al (2007)

Cognitive processing in the digital world

Aim: To investigate whether playing videogames results in better surgery performance in laparoscopic surgeons.

Method: Correlational study. Surgeons were assessed on their regular hospital roles. Surgeons answered a questionnaire in order to assess gaming experience. They were then asking to play 3 games for 25 minutes, and the total score obtained was used to indicate skill.

Participants: 33 laparoscopic surgeons

Results: Videogame skill was highly correlated with less time and fewer errors in drills.

Conclusion: Videogames improve fine motor skills and attention.

Evaluation: Highly specific tasks; not know whether digital technology has any effect on cognition in a wider domain.

virtual reality

A computer-simulated environment that can be a simulation of the real world or an imaginary world

response delay

time measurement between when they received the text and when they responded (Rosen et al., 2011

Cognitive componenet of empathy

understand what others feel, take perspective

Emotional component of empathy

"feeling along" with others

Interpersonal reactivity index (IRI)

personality score that measures both emotional and cognitive components of empathy

virtual empathy

Empathy through a computer mediated platform

non-verbal cues

perceptual information communicated though behaviors rather than words or sound; include dress, posture, facial expression, eye contact and body language

How has the average empathy scores changed among college students in the US?

decreased- associated with digital era (cell phones and social media)

4 parts of the IRI test

- perspective taking

- fantasy

- empathetic concern

-personal distress

Conclusion: Konrath, O'Brien and Hsing (2011)

Discussing the possible reasons behind the observed trends, the authors point at the fact that this decline in empathy scores coincides with the onset of the digital era

Conclusion of Carrier et al (2015)

Some digital activities may lead to an increase in real-world empathy, while some others affect it detrimentally.

Method: Carrier et al., 2015

correlational-using questionnaires

Method: Konrath, O'Brien and Hsing (2011)

Meta-analysis of correlational studies

How does the virtual world impact friendships?

Positive for existing and negative for new

Neuroplasticity

the ability within the brain to constantly change both the structure and function of many cells in response to experience

short term memory (working memory)

the memory system in which information is held for brief periods of time while being used

declarative memory

It refers to memories which can be consciously recalled such as facts and events.

Digital Amnesia

people are ready to forget important information in the belief that it can be immediately retrieved from a digital device

google effects on memory

If you think you can look up information later, you are less likely to remember

Conclusion of Rosser et al, 2007

video game playing and mastery have a positive impact on laparoscopic surgical procedures

Method of Rosser et al., 2007

Quasi-experiment

In social science, what is the standard p-value to establish statistical significance?

(P ≤ 0.05)

Positive impact of vidoe games

-Hand-eye coordination

-Reaction time

Spatial visualization

-Mental rotation

Conclusion of Sanchez, 2012

Reading without illustration requires learner to translate and encode spatial representations

-Skills generalizable

Method of Sanchez, 2012

Experiment

Examples of how the lack of accuracy leads to biases

-Reconstructive memory

- heuristics

What does the reliability of a cognitive process refer to?

- accuracy

- performance

Conclusion of Rosen et al., 2013

The incidence of off-task behaviour among students is high, with at least 1/3 of the study time spent off-task.

Method of Rosen et al., 2013

Correlational and observational

Who did a longitudinal research that supports Rosen et al., 2013?

Swing et al., 2010

Metacognitive Strategies

Self-management method that includes the ability to identify cognitive challenges during day-to-day activities and to create strategies that can be duplicated over time

Conclusion of Rosen et al., 2011

Low grey matter density in the anterior cingulated cortex (ACC) may be the physiological basis of being prone to induced media multitasking.

Which brain part is associated with poor multitasking?

anterior cingulated cortex (ACC)