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Study: No priming in video games Citation: Dr. David Zendle, Dr. Paul Cairns, Dr. Daniel Kudenko, No Priming in Video Games, Computers in Human Behavior (2017)

Study: No priming in video games Citation: Dr. David Zendle, Dr. Paul Cairns, Dr. Daniel Kudenko, No Priming in Video Games, Computers in Human Behavior (2017). Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.09.021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.09.021 DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2017.09.021 Abstract: Video games depict a variety of different concepts. Models of learning in games like the GLM (General Learning Model) and GAM (General Aggression Model) predict that exposing players to these in-game concepts can lead to important changes in player behaviour. Priming effects are thought to be key to determining these changes in behaviour. However, recent research has suggested problems with the priming effects that have previously been observed in the video game literature. Indeed, widespread methodological issues with this body of research make it unclear whether priming effects occur at all in video games. Two experiments (total N = 532) investigated whether priming effects still occurred in video games when known confounds in the literature were accounted for. Priming was observed in neither study. However, in both studies a novel negative priming effect was observed instead, in which exposure to a specific concept inhibited players’ reactions to things that were related to that concept. These studies support previous research which indicates there may be serious confounding in the video game literature. They also suggest that the priming-related effects of video games may be overestimated. Finally, they highlight the potential existence of negative priming as an effect of video game play. Highlights: • Priming is not seen when differences in gameplay between conditions are controlled. • Popular models of learning in games (GAM, GLM) are challenged. • Negative priming inconsistently observed: Playing a game sometimes inhibits reactions to in-game concepts.

jerf 9y ago
This really does stick a big stake in the recent priming theories that claim to be able to pick up on very subtle primings [1]. Video games are basically shouting at triggers we all agree are quite primal and almost certainly involving all sorts of parts of the brain, including our very oldest ones, but this staggeringly enormous signal doesn't produce results, and if anything, anti-primes the brain. But we're supposed to believe we can flash up a racial slur for (literally!) imperceptible fractions of a second and our brain makes complicated cognitive decisions based on that, and we have lab tests that can pick that up? It is not impossible. But the window for it to be true is made rather narrow if visceral video games aren't capable of "priming"; the window for it to be relevant to the world smaller yet. It lends yet more credence to the idea that the way the priming papers got published in the first place is in much the same way ESP papers can be peer reviewed and get published... our standard for statistical significance in publishing is too low. [1]: I contrast this with certain ones that we know work, and the field of marketing considers "engineering" rather than science.

jerf 9y ago

This really does stick a big stake in the recent priming theories that claim to be able to pick up on very subtle primings [1]. Video games are basically shouting at triggers we all agree are quite primal and almost certainly involving all sorts of parts of the brain, including our very oldest ones, but this staggeringly enormous signal doesn't produce results, and if anything, anti-primes the brain. But we're supposed to believe we can flash up a racial slur for (literally!) imperceptible fractions of a second and our brain makes complicated cognitive decisions based on that, and we have lab tests that can pick that up? It is not impossible. But the window for it to be true is made rather narrow if visceral video games aren't capable of "priming"; the window for it to be relevant to the world smaller yet. It lends yet more credence to the idea that the way the priming papers got published in the first place is in much the same way ESP papers can be peer reviewed and get published... our standard for statistical significance in publishing is too low. [1]: I contrast this with certain ones that we know work, and the field of marketing considers "engineering" rather than science.