1. The Effects of Action Video Game Play and Auditory Distraction on
Reaction Time
Connor Leahy and David Newman
IntroductionIntroduction
Methods
Results Summary
Discussion
Distraction has been a major research
focus because it is a major cause of
traffic accidents and loss of productivity.
Distraction was shown to decrease
reaction time (RT). Cognitively
demanding tasks like video games were
shown to reduce reaction time. Can
engaging in video game play reduce the
negative effects of distraction on RT?
• No reaction time or self-reported
distraction level differences
between games were observed.
• The presence of a distracter did not
affect reaction time.
• The presence of distracter did
affect self-reported distraction
levels.
• Using a within-subjects design
would offer more power.
• Possible increased temporal
processing with melodic distracters.
• Palisade Guardian 2 subjects
were in a large room, Halo
subjects were in small rooms.
• Continue game play until level
completion, or for longer time
intervals.
References
ResultsDye, M., Green, C., & Bavelier, D. (2009). Increasing speed of processing with action video games. Current Directions In Psychological Science,
18(6), 321-326.
LaPointe, L., Heald, G., Stierwalt, S., Kemker, B., & Maurice, T. (2007). Effects of auditory distraction on cognitive processing of young adults.
Journal of Attentional Disorders, 10(4), 398-409.
• 40 Western undergraduate students.
• 12 females and 28 males (Age: 19 ± 1.4).
• Game Conditions: Halo (RT-dependant)
or Palisade Guardian 2 (RT-independent).
• Distraction conditions: Silence or
“Xxzxcuzx Me” by Crystal Castles.
• Online reaction time test – Two scores
collected, then averaged (figures 1 and 2).
 With or without distracter.
• Follow-up distraction survey.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Distraction No Distraction
DistractionSelf-ReportScore
Distraction Condition
Halo
Palisade Guardian 2
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
Distraction No Distraction
ReactionTime(seconds)
Distraction Condition
Halo
Palisade Guardian 2
Figure 1. The relationship between the type of video game played and the
presence or absence of an auditory distracter on self-reported level of
distraction during reaction time tests. Distraction levels were averaged by
condition. Significant differences (*) were detected using a 2 x 2 between-
subjects ANOVA (p < 0.05).
Figure 2. The relationship between the type of video game played and the
presence or absence of an auditory distracter on reaction time. Reaction times
were averaged by condition. No significant differences between groups were
detected using a 2 x 2 between-subjects ANOVA (p > 0.05).
*
*