Video game training and effects on executive functions

Abstract

In the present chapter, we reviewed studies investigating the effects of video game training (particularly action video games) on the executive functions shifting, dual tasking, updating, and inhibition. These studies provide evidence that video game training improves the performance in task switching (i.e., shifting) and dual-task situations (besides first evidence for improved working memory updating). In contrast, the literature on effects of action video gaming rather suggests no relation between training in action video games and improved inhibition. In sum, this set of findings is consistent with the assumption that transfer from action video game training to executive function measures is domain-specific and might depend on similarities between the trained video game and the laboratory task. In alternative, inhibition-related skills might be not trainable at all.