Exploring the Influence of Video Games on Self-Reported Spatial Abilities Among University Students
Reem M AlWhaibi1, Afnan M Aldhowayan1, Shahad M Alshahrani1
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia.
Brain Sciences
|January 8, 2025
Summary
Frequent video gaming, especially action and open-world genres, significantly enhances self-reported spatial abilities in university students. This suggests games can be valuable tools for improving spatial cognition in education and STEM fields.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Educational Technology
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Video games are evolving beyond entertainment, showing potential for cognitive enhancement.
- Spatial cognition is crucial for academic success, particularly in STEM disciplines.
- Understanding the link between gaming habits and spatial skills is vital for educational applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of video game engagement on self-reported spatial abilities in university students.
- To analyze how gaming frequency, duration, and genre influence perceived spatial cognition.
- To explore the role of specific game features, like perspective-taking, in cognitive improvement.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 566 Saudi university students.
- Online questionnaires collected data on gaming habits and self-reported spatial abilities.
- Independent sample t-tests and chi-square tests analyzed the associations.
Main Results:
- Frequent gamers (65%) reported significantly higher spatial abilities, especially in spatial challenge adaptation (p < 0.001).
- Action and open-world game genres were linked to the greatest perceived spatial cognition improvements.
- Game perspective use correlated with enhanced spatial skills (p = 0.05); no significant gender differences were found.
Conclusions:
- Regular video game play, particularly with spatially demanding genres, is associated with improved self-reported spatial abilities.
- Video games show promise as tools for boosting spatial cognition in educational and professional settings.
- Findings support the integration of video games for enhancing spatial skills in STEM education and training.
