Damage Caused by Addiction to Violent Computer Games on Children Aged 5-7 in Shiraz, Iran: A Mixed Method Study

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors
Bibi Eshrat Zamani 1
Mozhdeh Mohajeri 1
Negar Sadat Tabataba 2
Ali Kheradmand 3
1 Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, School of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
2 MSc Student, Department of Educational Sciences, School of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Taleghani Hospital Research Development Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
10.22122/jrrs.v15i6.3462
Abstract
Introduction: Computer games today are widely used to improve cognitive performance. Selective attention is one of the cognitive skills whereby individuals can process certain events from among several driving factors and neglect others. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the first-person shooting (FPS) computer game style on the level of selective attention (visual focus).Materials and Methods: This study was an experimental study with experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The game was designed in the style of a first person sniper controlled by the eye tracker as an input tool. Data analysis was performed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups before the study (P ≤ 0.502). After participating in the study, the visual concentration in the control group did not change significantly (P ≤ 0.001), meaning that the game scores improved after the intervention.Conclusion: It seems that the FPS computer game using an eye-tracking tool improves visual focus through a cognitive-rehabilitation process.
Keywords
Eye tracker
First person sniper game
Eye gestures
Visual focus
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