Moderating effects of visual attention and action video game play on perceptual learning with the texture discrimination task

There is currently substantial controversy regarding the reliability of observed patterns of perceptual learning. Contributing to this controversy are a lack of accounting for individual differences and how variations in training can give rise to different patterns of learning. Here we sought to investigate the impact of individual differences in attention, as measured with the Useful Field of View (UFOV) task, and action video game use on perceptual learning in a large sample of subjects trained on a Texture Discrimination Task (TDT). We examined baseline performance on the TDT, learning on the initially trained TDT stimuli and transfer to a subsequently trained background orientation. We find that participants showing better performance on the UFOV task performed better on the TDT, and also showed greater learning and transfer to an untrained background orientation. On the other hand, self-report of action video game play only inconsistently related performance, learning or transfer on the TDT. Further, we failed to replicate previous findings that training with different backgrounds gives rise to interference on the TDT. Together these results suggest that, while differences between individuals and differences in task structure play a role in perceptual learning, previous findings on the impact of action video game use and interference between training stimuli in perceptual learning may be idiosyncratic.