Video game practice optimizes executive control skills in dual-task and task switching situations

We examined the relation of action video game practice and the optimization of executive control skills that are needed to coordinate two different tasks. As action video games are similar to real life situations and complex in nature, and include numerous concurrent actions, they may generate an ideal environment for practicing these skills (Green & Bavelier, 2008). For two types of experimental paradigms, dual-task and task switching respectively; we obtained performance advantages for experienced video gamers compared to non-garners in situations in which two different tasks were processed simultaneously or sequentially. This advantage was absent in single-task situations. These findings indicate optimized executive control skills in video garners. Similar findings in non-garners after 15 h of action video game practice when compared to non-garners with practice on a puzzle game clarified the causal relation between video game practice and the optimization of executive control skills. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.