Memory abilities in action video game players

Action video game players (AVGPs) have been shown to outperform non-action video game players (NVGPs) on tasks of perception and attention. Here we set out to investigate if these benefits also extended to another cognitive domain, memory. In particular, while there is some previous evidence suggesting AVGPs demonstrate better visual short-term memory, it is unclear whether this extends to long-term memory processes or indeed, whether these enhancements are due to memory per se or are instead reflective of changes in speed of processing or strategy. Using four tasks that tap distinct areas of memory processing we found evidence for greater speed of processing and enhanced visual short-term memory in AVGPs and compared to NVGPs. However, we found either equivalent or possibly decreased performance in AVGPs in tasks related to long-term memory access. Furthermore, differences in strategy were noted across tasks, in particular differences in the tradeoff between speed and accuracy, which calls for a closer investigation of how task instructions bias performance in future studies. From the time that video games entered mass culture in the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s there has been significant scientific interest in the possible perceptual and cognitive effects of vi-In particular , over the past decade a significant body of research has documented the beneficial effects of playing one particular sub-genre of games known as ''action video games'' a recent meta-analysis). Playing these fast-paced, perceptually, attentionally, cognitively, and motorically demanding games has been shown to enhance a variety of abilities from sensory and perceptual skills Action video game play has also been repeatedly shown to result in faster And although the majority of the work has been conducted using college-aged individuals, there is evidence that similar effects can be induced in both children and the elderly