A recent study by Dr Tracey Alloway, a Psychologist from Stirling University has shown that video war games could enhance a key element of intelligence that is vital to success in life.
Keeping up to date on Facebook and solving Sudoku may have similar effects, however text messaging, Tweeting and watching YouTube are all likely to weaken “working memory”. Dr Alloway defines working memory as the ability to both remember information and use it. An example of working memory in use would be during a job interview where the applicant matches their answers to the questions in the most impressive way.
Dr Alloway and her team have been extensively studying working memory and believe it to be far more important to success and happiness than IQ. Recently they developed a working memory training programme that boosted the performance of slow learning children aged 11 to 14 at a school in Durham. After only 8 weeks training, the children saw a 10 point improvement in their IQ, literacy and numeracy tests.
The team found that video games that involve planning and strategy could also train working memory. Whilst the team accept that they don’t make best use of your socialising skills, they do make good use of your working memory as you keep track of past actions and mapping the actions you are going to take. Similarly with Sudoku and keeping up with friends on Facebook. However the instant nature of texting, Twitter and Youtube was found to not be healthy for your working memory. Dr Alloway commented “On Twitter you receive an endless stream of information, but it’s also very succinct so you don’t have to process that information. Your attention-span is being reduced and you’re not engaging your brain and improving nerve connections.”
- BROWSE / IN TIMELINE
- « Captain’s log
- » Are you a pomegranate?
- BROWSE / IN Interesting Stuff Psychology Research
- « Choose your attitude
- » What matters now
