Abstract
Abstract
The effect of smartphone use on cognitive function was quantified using measures of neural activity called event-related potentials (ERPs). Participants engaged in a primary task (Exp. 1a: executive function; Exp. 1b: gambling) with no distraction and while using their smartphone to read online news articles. Smartphone use slowed behavioral responses and reduced the P300 ERP amplitudes by ∼50 percent and provides evidence that smartphones have a large distracting effect. Experiment 2 compared executive function ERPs from smartphone-experienced users (Exp. 1a) with those collected on smartphone-naive subjects (collected in late 2006 and early 2007; Scisco et al.). This comparison provides preliminary evidence that smartphone use may be improving visual spatial attention. Collectively, the data highlight some costs and benefits of smartphone use.
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