The Effect of Hot Versus Cool Game Character Designs on the Training of Executive Functions

• In Event: Paper Session: Research on Games

Abstract

There is evidence that executive functions (EF), which play a critical role in developmental and academic outcomes, can be enhanced through cognitive skills training. This study seeks to understand the impact of Emotional Design in a game-based training targeting the EF subskill of task-switching among adolescent participants, as it is a time associated with EF development. An emotionally inductive (“hot”) version of the game, featuring game characters with warm colors, round shapes, and strong facial expressions, was compared to an emotionally neutral (“cool”) version, featuring game characters with neutral colors, square shapes, and neutral facial expressions. Results support the hypothesis that game designs that induce high emotional arousal, may enhance targeted EF skills.

Authors

• Maya Rose

• Teresa M. Ober, City University of New York

• Andrew Patricio MacNamara, New York University

• Alvaro Olsen, New York University

• Bruce Douglas Homer, City University of New York

• Jan L. Plass, New York University