Immediate Impact of Fast/Slow Paced Television on Pre-schoolers Executive Function

McFadden, Claire (2015) Immediate Impact of Fast/Slow Paced Television on Pre-schoolers Executive Function. University of Strathclyde. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Research has provided evidence to suggest that television viewing can have negative consequences on children’s cognition. In particular research has suggested the pacing of television may be a fundamental factor which undermines executive functioning (EF). A recent study which used a between groups design showed that a short exposure to a fast paced show had an immediate negative impact upon pre-schoolers EF. This study investigated this further using a within groups design. A total of 21 4 year old children participated, and undertook 3 EF tasks after watching a slow paced and fast paced television clip of the same programme on separate visits. No significant difference was found in children’s performance on all 3 EF tasks and suggests that pace may not be the sole factor contributing factor to negative effects on EF. This is an under researched area and requires further investigation into possible immediate negative effects of television.