Want to train your brain? All you’ve got to do is play some Portal 2. A recent study conducted at Florida State University concluded that the 2011 video game was more effective at training participants’ brains than Lumosity, a cognitive training program designed to improve memory, reasoning and problem-solving skills. The study had 77 participants play either eight hours of Portal 2 or eight hours of Lumosity. Before and after the gaming session, each subject was given a series of tests to gauge performance in three areas: problem solving, spatial skill and persistence. So what did the study find? The people who played Portal 2 showed increased performance in all three areas. Those subjects also saw significant boosts on spatial tests, an improvement that wasn’t seen in the group that played Lumosity. While the sample size was small and the study only pitted Portal 2 against one other program, the results are a great defense for anyone tired of being told that video games are rotting away their brains.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with technology, media and marketing. Named LinkedIn’s “Top Voice in Technology,” he covers tech and business for Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN and writes a popular daily business blog. He's a bestselling author, and the creator of the popular, free online course, Generative AI for Execs. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.