The effects of video gaming on visual selective attention in early adulthood

Abstract

A growing body of research shows that video games may be used to enhance cognitive skills, with particular reference to attentional abilities. This research study explored the effects of video game playing on visual selective attention (VSA) on a sample of participants in early adulthood. A secondary research objective explored the possibility that participants’ gender acted as a moderating variable with regard to their VSA. This was achieved by means of a quantitative research design, which consisted of a survey research design to recruit participants and a quasi-experimental research design to test a participant’s VSA. Participants were sampled using quota sampling, which resulted in a final sample size of 80 participants. To test the effects of video game playing and gender on VSA, participants were exposed to a computerised version of the Stroop task. Data was analysed using a two-way between-group ANOVA. Results indicated that the difference in VSA abilities between the participants who played video games and the non-players was statistically significant. Video game players exhibited more advanced attentional skills than non-players. There were no interaction effects between video game playing and gender. Furthermore, the variable of gender did not have a statistically significant main effect on a participant's VSA.