The Impact of Video Games on Spatial Abilities in University Students
Author Information
Author(s): AlWhaibi Reem M., Aldhowayan Afnan M., Alshahrani Shahad M., Almadi Bayan S., Alamer Reham A., Albaqami Fai M., Mortada Eman M.
Primary Institution: Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
Hypothesis
How does video game engagement affect self-reported spatial abilities among university students?
Conclusion
Regular video game play, especially with spatially demanding genres, is associated with significant self-reported improvements in spatial abilities.
Supporting Evidence
- Frequent gamers reported significantly higher spatial abilities than infrequent gamers.
- 65% of participants were categorized as frequent gamers.
- Players engaged with action and open-world games reported the greatest perceived improvements in spatial cognition.
- No significant gender differences were observed in spatial ability improvements.
- Perspective use in games was linked to spatial skill enhancement.
Takeaway
Playing video games can help you get better at understanding space and how things fit together, like when you play with blocks or puzzles.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire to assess gaming habits and self-reported spatial abilities.
Potential Biases
Self-reported data may lead to overestimation or underestimation of spatial abilities.
Limitations
The cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and self-reported data may introduce bias.
Participant Demographics
Saudi university students aged 17 to 25, with a majority being female (65.4%).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p < 0.001
Statistical Significance
p < 0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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