SSRP Abstract

Studying Cognitive Control and Brain Function in a Video Game

Students: Hien Mai ’22 and Brad Orzolek ’20
Research Mentor: Kira Bailey (OWU Department of Psychology and OWU Neuroscience Program)

A growing body of evidence suggests that action video game (AVG) experience is associated with improvements in visual/spatial attention and cognitive control (Green & Bavelier, 2003, 2006, 2007; Green, Pouget, & Bavelier, 2010) and changes in brain function (Knols et al., 2017). The significance of this finding lies in the implication that the skills acquired in an AVG might be transferred to other contexts (Boot, Blakely, & Simons, 2011; Green & Bavelier, 2003). This has led some researchers (Bavelier et al., 2012; Green & Bavelier, 2008) to recommend the use of AVGs in training protocols among populations that would benefit from enhanced visual attention and cognition (e.g., older adults, pilots, military personnel). These recommendations may be premature, however; there are several methodological criticisms of the past research (Boot, Blakely, & Simons, 2011; Bisoglio et al., 2014), one of which is that the use of readily available commercial video games does not allow for strong experimental control over the numerous variables that could influence cognitive skills. At this point it is nearly impossible to know what features of a given video game are training which cognitive skills. Using the Unreal Tournament 4 engine we are designing video games that will allow researchers to better understand which game features impact cognitive control and allow for the simultaneous recording and analysis of brain activity.

Playing action video games is associated with changes to visual information processing, goal-directed behavior, and brain function.  Commercial video games utilize proprietary complex mechanics with heavy graphics that make it difficult to match stimuli with specific brain activity.  By building our own video game, we can directly control the stimuli to better understand which game features impact behavior and brain function.