Psychophysiological, but Not Behavioral, Indicator of Working Memory Capacity Predicts Video Game Proficiency

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Psychology

Background:

• Visual working memory (VWM) is crucial for cognitive abilities like fluid intelligence.
• Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games demand significant VWM resources.
• The impact of RTS game training on VWM capacity and its predictors is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if StarCraft II training enhances VWM capacity.
• To determine if behavioral (K) and psychophysiological (CDA) VWM indices predict training effectiveness.
• To explore the relationship between VWM indices and training-induced improvements.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-two non-players were assigned to experimental (variable environment), active control (fixed environment), or passive control groups.
• Participants underwent 30 hours of StarCraft II training.
• VWM capacity was assessed using behavioral change detection tasks and electroencephalography (EEG) to measure contralateral delay activity (CDA) pre- and post-training.

Main Results:

• VWM capacity (K) significantly increased in both experimental groups but not in the control group.
• A correlation was observed between behavioral VWM capacity (K) and CDA amplitude across all groups.
• Baseline CDA amplitude predicted improvement in the RTS game within the experimental group.

Conclusions:

• RTS video game training can effectively enhance visual working memory capacity.
• Psychophysiological VWM indices, like CDA, may serve as biomarkers for predicting success in learning complex video games.
• Individual differences in VWM capacity influence the effectiveness of cognitive training through video games.