Video gaming, but not reliance on GPS, is associated with spatial navigation performance

Yavuz, Emre, He, Chuanxiuyue, Gahnstrom, Christoffer J., Goodroe, Sarah, Coutrot, Antoine, Hornberger, Michael ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2214-3788, Hegarty, Mary and Spiers, Hugo J. (2024) Video gaming, but not reliance on GPS, is associated with spatial navigation performance. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 96. ISSN 0272-4944

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Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that greater reliance on GPS-assisted devices is associated with poorer navigation ability. Studies have also shown that video gaming may be associated with navigation ability. We investigated the effect of video game experience and reliance on GPS on navigation ability using the mobile app Sea Hero Quest, which has been shown to predict real-world wayfinding performance. We tested a group of US-based participants' wayfinding performance (n = 822, 367 men, 455 women, mean age = 26.3 years, range = 18–52 years) and asked them a series of questions relating to reliance on GPS and video game experience. A multiple linear regression model found no significant association between reliance on GPS and wayfinding performance. There was a significant association between weekly hours of video gaming and wayfinding performance. These findings provide a platform for future intervention-based research studies investigating whether daily activities may causally enhance or disrupt specific cognitive abilities.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Acknowledgements: This research is part of the Sea Hero Quest initiative funded and supported by Deutsche Telekom. Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK-DT2016-1) funded the analysis; Glitchers designed and produced the game; and Saatchi and Saatchi London managed its creation.
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Mental Health
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	25 Apr 2024 16:30
Last Modified:	30 Apr 2024 12:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/95023
DOI:	10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102296

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