A new study has revealed that the constant use of iPad, Kindle and smartphones is affecting people's reading comprehension, critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a great way. Despite information becoming more accessible through digital media, the experts underscore how its use can lead to the decline of abstract thought. In other words, digital media is making people dumber.
The study, published by researchers from Dartmouth College via EurekAlert, enlisted 300 participants from the ages of 20 to 24. They were asked to read different materials and separated into groups.
Print Readers Vs. Digital Readers
One group of participants was given a David Sedaris piece on print while another group was asked to read this using digital gadgets. Another group was given reading materials involving Japanese cars and was also segregated into digital and print readers. After reading, the groups were quizzed to further test the study's hypotheses.
The researchers learned that while digital media readers were able to answer concrete and specific quiz questions better than the printed version readers, it was the latter group who was able to retain more abstract information. At least 66 percent of the print readers were able to answer abstract questions correctly in the quizzes, against the 43 percent among the digital readers, per Fox News.
Comic: Print vs digital. Thanks @writeranonymous for the caption! pic.twitter.com/KRZoqVhds7
— Debbie Ridpath Ohi (@inkyelbows) May 6, 2016
Abstract Thought, Critical Thinking And Cognition
Abstract thought is vital to critical thinking, but reading on digital gadgets has affected how people are able to focus and retain information. This study has also shown that while digital tools are helpful, its widespread use is affecting cognition, which leads to greater implications.
"Given that psychologists have shown that construal levels can vastly impact outcomes such as self-esteem and goal pursuit, it's crucial to recognize the role that digitization of information might be having on this important aspect of cognition," said lead study author Geoff Kaufman in the press release. "Knowing the affordances of digital technologies can help us design better software," suggested co-study author Mary Flanagan via Science Daily. Digital devices should be able to "foster abstract thinking."
