The Effects of computer simulation based gamed (The SIMS) on cognitive abilities in adolescence

• Main Author: Khatiahazmin, Rusdi.
• Format: Final Year Project Report
• Language: English; English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, UNIMAS 2006
• Subjects: QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science; T Technology (General)
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/6717/1/The%20Effects%20of%20computer%20simulation%20based%20..%20%2824%20pages%29.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/6717/8/Khatiahazmim%20Rusdi%20ft.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/6717/

The study aimed to investigate the difference in cognitive abilities between computer simulation - based game (The Sims) player and non - player. Cognitive abilities that were studied in this research were problem solving, hand eye coordination and spatial abilities. This study was an experimental quantitative study and 30 respondents were involved. The respondents consist of 30 UN IMAS students, age between 19 - 21 years old. They were assigned into 2 different groups with 15 respondents each. One group was the experimental group and another was the control group. Experimental group only consist of students who had experienced in play ing The Sims and the control group consist of those who had no experienced playing The Sims. The experimental group was given treatment for 10 minutes and then only they were measured. However, no treatment was given to the control group as they were direc tly measured. The instruments that were used for this study differ according to the cognitive abilities type. For problem solving, a computer game entitled Cannibals was used which contained element of problem solving. The hand eye coordination was measure d using the Throwing Pie Game. Meanwhile, the spatial ability was measured using the Mental Rotation test from an established book entitled Coglab on a Cd. The data was analyzed using independent sample t - test from the SPSS. The result from the data analys is showed that there is a significant difference in terms of spatial ability and problem solving between player and non - player. However, no significant difference was indicated in terms of hand - eye coordination between player and non - player.