Brain Training: Gaming Science

Spending more time staring at screens won't fix your brain By Katherine Vazquez

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Game developers know exactly how to attract and retain customers. They rely on a vast body of scientific and psychological research to capitalize on the factors that keep us playing. The multi-billion-dollar gaming industry is flooded with games that appeal to our visceral desires for endless gameplay, free downloads, positive reinforcement, and bragging rights.

Another intriguing subset of games hinges on our innate penchant for self-improvement and intellectual competence. Developers of so-called “brain training” games claim that hours spent in gameplay can lead to accelerated cognition and tangible gains in daily functioning. Companies who peddle cerebral games may be on to something, but can they truly deliver on their promises? Are their products any more enhancing than addictive, mindless games like Candy Crush Saga?

Brain training is an appealing concept for many reasons. If proven effective, it could offer remarkable gains in a broad range of cognitive funct…