The Effects of Video Games and Age on Attentional Blink Magnitude

Aging has been associated with declines in selective attention, and experience playing action video games (AVGs) has been linked to improved attentional functioning. The present study examined whether age and AVG experience were associated with differences in the attentional blink (AB). This 2x2 cross-sectional study assigned participants (N = 25) to four groups based on their age and gaming experience: seven younger non-gamers (YN; M = 25.4; range = 22–32; SD = 4.39), six older non-gamers (ON; M = 46.7; range = 39–53; SD = 4.40), six younger gamers (YG; M = 25.3; range = 21–28; SD = 3.83), and six older gamers (OG; M = 47.7; range = 40–51; SD = 4.45). The ANOVA results showed a significant main effect of AVG experience, with gamers exhibiting attenuated AB magnitudes relative to non-gamers. The main effect of age and the interaction between age and gaming experience were non-significant. These findings suggested that regularly playing AVGs was associated with lower AB magnitudes.

Author dc:creator

• Daði Ingvason 1993-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskólinn í Reykjavík

• Sálfræði
• Tölvuleikir
• Athygli
• Fullorðnir
• Psychology
• Video games
• Attention
• Adulthood

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1946/53458

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/53458