Short-Term Transfer Effects of Tetris on Mental Rotation: Review and Registered Report – A Bayesian Approach

The existence of transfer effects of video games on cognitive performance are controversially discussed in experimental psychology. Whereas recent meta-analyses suggest the absence of far transfer effects, empirical evidence regarding near transfer effects is more controversial. This conceptual replication investigated the short-term near transfer effect of playing Tetris on mental rotation abilities. The design of the conceptual replication was based on a comprehensive compilation of the methods used by previous literature on this topic and advanced in order to reach a high scientific state-of-the-art standard. We ran a high-powered conceptual replication study with X participants [Note: X will be replaced by the number of participants after data collection has been completed] randomly assigned to either an experimental group playing Tetris or a control group playing Solitaire. Both groups completed three commonly used mental rotation tests in a pre- and a posttest-session. Additionally, the experimental group played Tetris while the control group played Solitaire. Gaming time was 10 hours in total within 4 weeks. Based on previous research, we hypothesized that this might generate a short-term transfer effect of Tetris on mental rotation. Results and conclusion will be added to the abstract after data collection and analysis have been completed.