TRANSDISCIPLINARY INQUIRY
PROJECT OUTCOMES
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The overall results of my research project lead towards the outcome that the repeated usage of video game controllers does, in fact, improve cognitive skills over time. As directed the proposal, two times a week an hour of gameplay was played using the game Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and an Xbox One controller. I recorded the gameplay using my phone camera in time-lapse mode, after the hour of gameplay five cognitive skill tests were done in the mobile application Lumosity. This application tested five different types of cognitive skills, these were speed, memory, attention, flexibility and problem-solving. Generally, after each hour of gameplay, the results were improved in each of the skills, although there was the occasional decrease of the cognitive skill results. Three of the cognitive skill categories, however, showed a significantly greater end result than the other two categories. These skills were flexibility, speed and attention. While problem-solving and memory skills still improved but in a lesser score result (as seen in the graph in the video above). A possible reason for this is that the use of memory and problem-solving skills are not something that is practised much in video game gameplay, therefore resulting in a lower result. Another reason may be that the chosen game 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider' had little opportunity to increase problem-solving and memory skills compared to other potential games.
Something that I think has affected the test results of this research project is the different game genres and situations. For example, in one of my tests, significant changes can be seen when the hour of gameplay had more combat situations opposed to more problem-solving based ones. Because the game the was used was ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider'; a game which has a lot of different game situations such as combat, problem-solving & quick time events, the results of each hour of gameplay increased or decreased accordingly. If I were to use an online multiplayer FPS game type such as Battlefield 1, I hypothesize that the results for speed and attention would be much greater than the results I have currently achieved from the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider game. This is because these types of skills are constantly practiced in that type of game genre.
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During the process of testing, I ensured that each test was done straight after the hour of gameplay, this was done so that the test is taken after each individual game session at the same time as the other game sessions, this will make the test results accurate. If I were to repeat this testing process something that could be tested differently is if the results change after an hour or even two hours after the game session. This would determine whether or not the repetitive application of video game playing has a lasting effect of cognitive skill game improvement.
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The controller I used in the testing was an Xbox One traditional controller which was used in each of the tests. Something interesting that could be done in further research is the use of different types of controllers. It would be interesting to test if the use of a PlayStation, VR or even something like a steering wheel controller would change the test results. This could also show if different types of controllers are better built to improve these cognitive skills compared to others.
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IN REFRENCE TO THE PROPOSAL
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Lara Croft Tomb Raider is specified as an Action-Adventure game, I choose this game to use in testing opposed to others because of research was done previously in the proposal which states that playing video games promotes an extensive range of cognitive skills. These skills are mostly seen in shooter games or "action" games, many of which are of a violent nature (Granic, Lobel & Engels, 2014)). If I were to do this project again something I may so differently is choosing a game that is primarily an action game.
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The use of a traditional controller was used in testing rather than a motion controller because according to (Rodgers, Bowman & Oliver, 2015) traditional game controllers for general game use were more naturally mapped than the motion controller. This means that traditional controllers are easier to use as the mapping of the controller components such as buttons are placed so that new users to the controller can get quickly acquainted with the hardware.
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I used the same game for each test because Oei & Patterson's test results suggested that many video game-related cognitive skill improvements may not be due to the training of overall wide cognitive systems, but instead due to repetitive use of specific cognitive processes during gameplay (Oei & Patterson, 2013). This relates to the cognitive processes such as the repetitive processes in combat situations, opposed to the thinking processes in problem-solving game situations.
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Reference:
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Granic, I., Lobel, A., & Engels, R. C. (2014). The benefits of playing video games. American Psychologist, 69(1), 66.
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Rogers, R., Bowman, N. D., & Oliver, M. B. (2015). It's not the model that doesn't fit, it's the controller! The role of cognitive skills in understanding the links between natural mapping, performance, and enjoyment of console video games. Computers in Human Behavior, 49, 588-596.
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Oei, A. C., & Patterson, M. D. (2013). Enhancing cognition with video games: a multiple game training study. PLoS One, 8(3), e58546.