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Video war games aid 'working memory'

But Twitter and texting erodes it

September 7th | Tell us what you think [ 2 comments ]

-i-m-not-fragging-mum-i-m-developing-my-working-memory-

'I'm not fragging, mum, I'm developing my working memory'

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Video war games could provide children with a huge advantage in life by training them to absorb information and work out the correct time to use it.

A stuffy by psychologist Dr Tracy Alloway suggests that video war games -which we're assuming embraces first/third person shooters and real time strategy games – help kids to quickly analyse situations and respond.

However, text messaging, tweeting and YouTube watching were apparently likely to degrade the same function.

Active/passive

Of course this seems to boil down to active versus semi-passive activity – but Stirling University's Dr Alloway has apparently extensively studied working memory and tried out her theory on slow-learning children between the ages of 11 to 14.

After two months of 'Jungle Memory' training the kids picked up a not-inconsiderable 10 point IQ raise.

"It was a massive effect," said Dr Alloway in a speech at the British Science Festival at the University of Surrey in Guildford.

The TechRadar staff are both inveterate gamers and heavy Tweeters - so our net gain is probably zero.

Via PA

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Your comments (2) Click to add a new comment

jmace86


September 7th

2. It's all lies. Everyone knows that videogames can never have any positive effect on people!

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menelaus


September 7th

1. Bet you won't see this reported in the Daily Mail.

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