Scientists have recently published the results of a study that has remarkable implications, both in the field of cognitive sciences, and the field of gaming.
According to the scientists who put together the study, “Cognitive processes, such as memory, attention, and conceptualization permit animals to demonstrate adaptive behavior in complex, dynamic environments.” Scientists have studied such processes in monkeys, rats, and pigeons but had not fully researched them in farm animals.
This time, though, the scientists were specifically looking at pigs. To test the cognitive abilities of four different pigs, the scientists set up joystick-operated video games for them to play. Video games have been shown to improve cognitive abilities in humans, so it makes sense to use games to test them in animals.
The scientists created a fairly simple game where the pigs were supposed to “use a joystick to move a cursor until it makes contact with a target on the screen.” Upon hitting the cursor to the target, the pigs were given a reward. The pigs were able to understand that joy-stick controlled the game, and grasp its rules. Not only that, but even after the treat dispenser broke, they continued playing when encouraged to by the researchers. So while gaming addiction might be a mental health disorder according to the WHO, it was a sign of mental cognition in the pigs.
According to the researchers, the experiment was meant to test two skills in the pigs. One: “the animal must have sufficient motor skills to be able to manipulate a joystick.” Two: “the animal must have the cognitive ability to learn that joystick movements control cursor movement, and that the collision of cursor and target is followed by a reward.” Due to their degree of success at the game, the scientists concluded that the pigs had all “acquired the association between the joystick and cursor movement” and that their results were both “remarkable” and ” indicative of their behavioral and cognitive flexibility.”
This study had amazing implications for the fields of cognitive and behavioral science. But more than that, it has made great strides in the world of gaming. While events like the LA Valiant Overwatch team dropping all its players means searching for human replacements, perhaps someday other species will be somehow involved in gaming, too.
On the other hand, video games have been linked to physical aggression in humans. It’s possible pigs could become violent after playing them as well. It remains to be seen if correlations like these cross over to other species, as well.
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Source: Frontiers in Psychology
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