Thiago Strahler Rivero

Effects of chronic video game use on time perception: differences between sub- and multi-second intervals.

Even though video game players frequently report losing track of time while playing, few studies have addressed whether there are long-lasting effects of such activity on time perception. We compared the performance of chronic and occasional video game players in sub- and multi-second time perception tasks. Temporal Discrimination and Temporal Bisection tasks, in the range of 100 to 1,000 milliseconds, and Time estimation and Time production tasks, in the range of 5 to 60 seconds, were used to assess sub- and multi-second time perceptions, respectively. Chronic video game players performed significantly better than occasional players on sub-second tasks, but no group difference was found for the multi-second tasks used. Sub- and multi-second time perceptions are associated to different underlying systems: automatic and cognitive controlled for sub- and multi-second tasks, respectively. We argue that video game use seems to induce more efficient implicit, rather than cognitive controlled, processing of time.

The emerging adolescent World of Warcraft video gamer: A five factor exploratory profile model

Abstract This exploratory study discovered personality patterns among emerging adults (EA; aged 18–25) who played World of Warcraft (WoW). The authors examined differences between the 44-item personality measure Big Five Inventory (BFI) and emerging adult play style and specialization of WoW players through latent profile analysis (LPA). The authors focused on the specifics of participant’s play style (Player VS Player, Player VS Environment, or Role-Playing), specialization of character (Tank, Healer, Damage), and whether EA WoW video gamers met criteria for an antisocial personality profile (see Markey and Markey, 2010). A total of 465 EA WoW players, participated in the study. The author’s findings, based on LPA, discovered profiles amongst the participants utilizing ANOVAs to statistically investigate differences. The authors found the following three different main profiles overall across play styles and specialization: Extroversive, Introversive, and Ambiversive. This study asserts personality may play a role in understanding the video gamer and there may be at least three personality types of gamers who play World of Warcraft (WoW). Furthermore, there was no support for antisocial personality scores of EAs in WoW players when compared to suggested markers of antisocial personality factors (see Bean and Groth-Marnat, 2014; Markey and Markey, 2010).

Neuropsychological rehabilitation in a patient with ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm. 48 month outcomes

The neurobehavioral impairments associated with aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) are severe amnesia, executive problems and personality changes. Although most patients achieve a favorable neurological outcome, those cognitive deficits usually prevent return to previous activities and levels of social integration. Objectives To report the outcomes of a neuropsychological and behavioral intervention in a 55 year-old man with very severe memory and executive dysfunctions following ACoA aneurysm rupture. Methods Neuropsychological intervention focused in functional adjustment in everyday life was used, including individual sessions with the patient, discussion sessions with caregivers and also work with patient at home, aiming generalization of the rehabilitation strategies. Neuropsychological and functional assessments were conducted pre and post intervention. Results Important improvements were seeing in behavior and daily living performance after treatment. Conclusions A neuropsychological rehabilitation approach focused on goals based on the family and caregivers necessities is an efficient manner in which to carry out cognitive rehabilitation in severe cases. The importance of a supportive family should be stressed.