Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
06:46
Investigating the Deployment of Visual Attention Before Accurate and Averaging Saccades via Eye Tracking and Assessment of Visual Sensitivity
Published on: March 18, 2019
Age-related changes in attentional tracking of multiple moving objects.
Robert Sekuler1, Chris McLaughlin, Yuko Yotsumoto
1Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454, USA. vision@brandeis.edu
Perception
|August 9, 2008
Summary
Young adults, especially gamers, excel at multiple-object tracking (MOT). Older adults show significant declines in MOT performance, indicating age-related attentional tracking deficits not due to general memory impairment.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Human Aging Research
Background:
- Multiple-object tracking (MOT) is crucial for daily activities.
- Understanding age-related changes in visual attention is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare MOT abilities in young and older adults.
- To investigate the impact of video game experience on MOT.
- To determine if age-related MOT decline is memory-specific.
Main Methods:
- Participants tracked multiple identical, randomly moving disks.
- Performance was assessed by identifying target disks post-tracking.
- Control tasks with stationary objects measured baseline memory.
Main Results:
- Younger adults, particularly video game players, outperformed older adults.
- Older adults exhibited significantly reduced MOT ability, especially with faster movement or longer durations.
- Age-related decline in MOT was independent of general memory capacity.
Conclusions:
- Older adults experience substantial age-related deficits in multiple-object tracking.
- Video gaming experience may enhance visual tracking skills.
- Attentional tracking outcomes are graded, not absolute, and decline with report order in older adults.
