The Effect of Video Games on Reaction Time
Video games can be used to stimulate and exercise reaction based decisions, but how much of the improvement comes from playing the game? Teenagers have been a prime target for the growing industry of video games. This research seeks to discover if video games actually help develop a faster reaction time for teenagers as they mature. Having better reaction time has many advantages in the world. A student with good reaction time can make fast decisions with minimal information, giving them an advantage when it comes to assessments. The reaction time of seventh and eighth graders, ninth and tenth graders, and eleventh and twelfth graders were recorded, along with whether or not they frequently played video games. These ages were chosen because they cover when the body goes through puberty and develops into a mature adult. To record the reaction times of volunteer, they were taken to an enclosed space with minimal distractions to ensure maximum focus. They were then asked a series of questions regarding whether or not they played video games and whether or not they participated in any sports or other activities that may improve reaction time over time. The volunteers were then instructed to read a passage out loud with their arms outstretched, ready to catch two poles, which would drop at a “random” time. When the volunteer read a certain line, the poles were dropped, and the distance it took to catch the poles was recorded. Then the mean reaction time of gamers were then compared to the mean reaction time of non-gamers. After running statistical tests, it was found that video games do not significantly improve reaction time.
Research Conducted By:
Aaron Goudie
Sterling Heights High School
Warren Consolidated Schools