title: Action video game training reduces the Simon Effect.
abstract: A number of studies have shown that training on action video games improves various aspects of visual cognition including selective attention and inhibitory control. Here, we demonstrate that action video game play can also reduce the Simon Effect, and, hence, may have the potential to improve response selection during the planning and execution of goal-directed action. Non-game-players were randomly assigned to one of four groups; two trained on a first-person-shooter game (Call of Duty) on either Microsoft Xbox or Nintendo DS, one trained on a visual training game for Nintendo DS, and a control group who received no training. Response times were used to contrast performance before and after training on a behavioral assay designed to manipulate stimulus-response compatibility (the Simon Task). The results revealed significantly faster response times and a reduced cost of stimulus-response incompatibility in the groups trained on the first-person-shooter game. No benefit of training was observed in the control group or the group trained on the visual training game. These findings are consistent with previous evidence that action game play elicits plastic changes in the neural circuits that serve attentional control, and suggest training may facilitate goal-directed action by improving players' ability to resolve conflict during response selection and execution.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK. ch190@le.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Claire V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK.
authors.forename: Doug J K
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK.
authors.forename: Aleksander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nitka
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 9HN, UK.
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Raynes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D018910:Video Games; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Reaction times; Response selection; Simon Effect; Video game training