Games as Cognitive Recreation: User Perspectives on Brain-Training Apps

Abstract

This article investigates the role of games in cognitive training through multimethod deductions from user references to the phenomenon, a consideration absent in the current literature. The results of qualitative thematic and quantitative textual analyses on a corpus of commercial brain-training apps’ reviews (N = 30,000) paint a complicated picture of user perceptions of brain-training services, where recreation from gaming takes precedence over concerns of cognitive gains. While users remain uncertain about benefits in cognitive functions, positive perceptions suggest the affective utility of playing brain-training games and the self-regulatory benefits of using the apps. These findings suggest a link between brain-training and psychological variables associated with complex entertainment experiences from playing digital games. The critical role of entertainment from gameplay and associated psychological dimensions are discussed as they relate to our findings and emerging perspectives on the role of gaming in cognitive and affective functions.

Keywords:

• Brain-training
• cognitive enhancement
• games
• entertainment
• automated text analysis
• thematic analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)

Notes

1 Note, the overall sample size for the global analysis (and for each analysis by sample) was reduced as a result of these criteria (e.g., for the global analysis, we retain 25,112 cases).

2 In order to preserve pseudonymity of users, we are not providing specific citations of quotes.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Md Waseq Ur Rahman

Md Waseq Ur Rahman is a Ph.D. candidate in the Communication and Media Studies program at the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication. His work examines gaming experiences, virtual and analog simulations, and gaming spectatorship.

Maxwell Foxman

Maxwell Foxman is an Assistant Professor of Game Studies and Media Studies at the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication. His work looks at the influence of games in non-game contexts. He is the recent co-author of Mainstreaming and Game Journalism (MIT Press).

David M. Markowitz

David M. Markowitz is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University. He uses words to infer psychological dynamics. His work has appeared in outlets like the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal of Communication, and Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.