The effects of video game on executive functioning and creativity.

• Main Author: Tan, Sonia Iman Ying.
• Other Authors: Michael Donald Patterson
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/52645
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study is an extension of an experiment conducted by Oei & Patterson (2013), which found a significant increase in executive functioning (task switching, selective attention and response inhibition) in non-gamers who played “Cut the Rope”, a physics-based puzzle video game. Our aim was to discover the unique features the game possesses that contribute to this gain. We also investigated “Cut the Rope’s” effect on creativity, another potential area of growth. Participants were randomly assigned into three groups: Group A played “Cut the Rope” and aimed to get maximum “Stars” for each stage; Group B played the same game, but continued to the next stage upon completion of the current stage and the Control Group played the video game “Tetris” for 10 hours. Contrary to previous literature, our study found no effects of “Cut the Rope” on executive functioning; however, the number of “Stars” obtained was positively correlated to gains in creativity for participants in Group A. Possible reasons for the findings, as well as the implications, are discussed.