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. 2019 Jul 17:10:1631.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01631. eCollection 2019.

Reduced Lateralization of Attention in Action Video Game Players

Yu Li  1   2 , Xiaohong Jin  3 , Yuanyuan Wang  4 , Dun Niu  4
Affiliations

Reduced Lateralization of Attention in Action Video Game Players

Yu Li et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that action video game players (AVGPs) possess superior performance in various tasks, especially those measuring attentional abilities. The current study aimed to examine the lateralization of attentional components in AVGPs. Twenty-nine AVGPs and twenty-six non-AVG players (NAVGPs) were recruited based on their frequency and intensity of playing action video games in the last 6 months. A lateralized attentional network test was used to measure the lateralization of attentional components in the two groups. The results showed that AVGPs exhibited comparable performance in the left and right hemispheres for reorienting and executive components. However, NAVGPs exhibited a significant difference between the two hemispheres for the two components. The findings indicate that AVG playing is closely associated with reduced lateralization of attentional networks.

Keywords: action video game playing; attention; executive; lateralization; reorienting.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The lateralized attentional network test (LANT). (A) Experimental procedure. (B) Cue types. (C) Flanker types.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Alerting effects in the left and right visual fields (L/RVF) in the action video game players (AVGPs) and non-action video game players (NAVGPs) (A,B). Conflict effects in the left and right VFs in AVGPs and NAVGPs (C,D). Note that a lower score indicates a higher efficiency for both reaction time and accuracy data. Error bars denote SEM. *p < 0.05.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Orienting (A,D), validity (reorienting; B,E), and disengaging (C,F) effects in left and right visual fields (L/RVF) in the action video game players (AVGPs) and non-action video game players (NAVGPs). Note that a lower score indicates a higher efficiency for both reaction time and accuracy data. Error bars denote SEM. *p < 0.05, ∗∗∗p < 0.001.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Simple effects analyses for the cue by congruency by group interaction (A) and the cue by VF by group interaction (B). L/RVF, left/right visual field. Error bars denote SEM.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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