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Originalartikel

Expertise in Video Gaming and Driving Skills

Published Online:November 16, 2011https://doi.org/10.1024/1016-264X/a000052

Abstract

We assessed whether video game experience exerts substantial influence on standardised measures of driving skill. Three subject groups (n = 90) with different video game experiences (frequent, moderate and without extensive experience) performed standard driving tests on a driving simulator, computerised tests measuring driving skills, and standard attention tests. Even extensive video game experience had no influence on performance in computerised tests measuring driving skills. But there was a strong influence of video game experience on computerised attention tests, with frequent gamers outperforming the control subjects in several attention measures. These findings show that the evaluation of driving skill should rely strongly on driving skills tests which are specifically designed for this particular purpose. The use of standard computerised attention tests for the assessment of driving skills runs the risk of introducing a performance bias during testing attributable to frequent video game use.


Erfahrung im Computerspielen und Fahreignung

In dieser Arbeit wurden drei Versuchsgruppen (n = 90) untersucht, die sich im Hinblick auf ihre Computerspielhäufigkeit voneinander unterschieden (häufig, selten und nie). Diese Versuchspersonen wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Leistungen in Aufmerksamkeitstests, Standardtests zur Überprüfung der Fahreignung und Fahrsimulatortests miteinander verglichen. Es zeigte sich, dass intensive Computerspielerfahrung keinen Einfluss auf die Fahreignungstests und den Fahrsimulatortest ausübte. Es konnte allerdings ein substantiell positiver Einfluss von Computerspielerfahrung auf die Leistung in den Aufmerksamkeitstests festgestellt werden. Vor allem jene Versuchspersonen, die sehr häufig am Computer spielten, zeigten die besten Leistungen in den Aufmerksamkeitstests. Diese Befunde zeigen, dass Standardtests zur Messung der Fahreignung offenbar nicht von der Computerspielerfahrung beeinflusst werden. Gleichwohl wirkt sich Computerspielerfahrung erheblich auf die Leistung in Standardtests zur Messung der Aufmerksamkeit aus.

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