General Problem-Solving Styles and Problem-Solving Approaches in Video Games

Video game play is a pervasive recreational activity, particularly among college students. While there is a large research base focused on educational video game play and uses of games in the classroom, there is much less research focused on cognitive strategies and entertainment video game play. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential relationships between general problem-solving styles and problem-solving approaches in video games. One hundred and thirty-eight undergraduate college students completed online surveys about their video game play and also an assessment of general problem-solving style. A multivariate linear regression revealed relationships between general problem-solving styles and problem-solving preferences in video games, with a few differences when looking at specific genres of games. This study provides evidence that approaches to video game play can be a reflection of real-life problem-solving styles.