TY - JOUR
T1 - Commercial video games and cognitive functions
T2 - Video game genres and modulating factors of cognitive enhancement
AU - Choi, Eunhye
AU - Shin, Suk Ho
AU - Ryu, Jeh Kwang
AU - Jung, Kyu In
AU - Kim, Shin Young
AU - Park, Min Hyeon
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Author(s).
PY - 2020/2/3
Y1 - 2020/2/3
N2 - Background: Unlike the emphasis on negative results of video games such as the impulsive engagement in video games, cognitive training studies in individuals with cognitive deficits showed that characteristics of video game elements were helpful to train cognitive functions. Thus, this study aimed to have a more balanced view toward the video game playing by reviewing genres of commercial video games and the association of video games with cognitive functions and modulating factors. Literatures were searched with search terms (e.g. genres of video games, cognitive training) on database and Google scholar. Results: video games, of which purpose is players' entertainment, were found to be positively associated with cognitive functions (e.g. attention, problem solving skills) despite some discrepancy between studies. However, the enhancement of cognitive functions through video gaming was limited to the task or performance requiring the same cognitive functions. Moreover, as several factors (e.g. age, gender) were identified to modulate cognitive enhancement, the individual difference in the association between video game playing and cognitive function was found. Conclusion: Commercial video games are suggested to have the potential for cognitive function enhancement. As understanding the association between video gaming and cognitive function in a more balanced view is essential to evaluate the potential outcomes of commercial video games that more people reported to engage, this review contributes to provide more objective evidence for commercial video gaming.
AB - Background: Unlike the emphasis on negative results of video games such as the impulsive engagement in video games, cognitive training studies in individuals with cognitive deficits showed that characteristics of video game elements were helpful to train cognitive functions. Thus, this study aimed to have a more balanced view toward the video game playing by reviewing genres of commercial video games and the association of video games with cognitive functions and modulating factors. Literatures were searched with search terms (e.g. genres of video games, cognitive training) on database and Google scholar. Results: video games, of which purpose is players' entertainment, were found to be positively associated with cognitive functions (e.g. attention, problem solving skills) despite some discrepancy between studies. However, the enhancement of cognitive functions through video gaming was limited to the task or performance requiring the same cognitive functions. Moreover, as several factors (e.g. age, gender) were identified to modulate cognitive enhancement, the individual difference in the association between video game playing and cognitive function was found. Conclusion: Commercial video games are suggested to have the potential for cognitive function enhancement. As understanding the association between video gaming and cognitive function in a more balanced view is essential to evaluate the potential outcomes of commercial video games that more people reported to engage, this review contributes to provide more objective evidence for commercial video gaming.
KW - Cognitive functions
KW - Commercial video games
KW - Genres of video games
KW - Modulating factors
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85078915698&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s12993-020-0165-z
DO - 10.1186/s12993-020-0165-z
M3 - Review article
C2 - 32014027
AN - SCOPUS:85078915698
SN - 1744-9081
VL - 16
JO - Behavioral and Brain Functions
JF - Behavioral and Brain Functions
IS - 1
M1 - 2
ER -