Habitual video gaming predicts multitasking performance while the role of cognitive capacity remains inconclusive

Video gaming has been shown to improve information processing. Enhanced attention control functions appear to illustrate cognitive substrates thereof. Additionally, attention control functions represent constraints of cognitive capacity-an established predictor of multitasking performance. Thus, cognitive capacity may explain an association between video gaming and enhanced multitasking performance via attention control functions. To investigate this, we assessed the short-term memory and multi-attribute task battery (MATB) task performance of 60 individuals with different levels of video gaming experience; and conducted structural equation modeling to test if video gaming experience predicted multitasking performance; and if this effect was mediated by cognitive capacity. We used two functions of the theory of visual attention computational modeling framework as indicators of cognitive capacity; four MATB performance measures as indictors of multitasking performance; and self-reports on video game play time and expertise to model video gaming experience. Video gaming experience predicted multitasking performance but we found no evidence for cognitive capacity mediating this relationship. Thus, the role of cognitive capacity in the association between video gaming experience and multitasking is inconclusive.