Ward (2017)


• Aim: 

  To investigate whether the mere presence of a smartphone can influence cognitive capacity.
• Research Method: 

  Experimental study
• Procedure:

  1. 548 students participated.
  2. Independent Variable: Proximity to smartphone (three conditions: on desk, in pocket/bag, in another room).
  3. Dependent Variable: Cognitive capacity (measured through working memory and fluid intelligence tasks).
  4. Participants performed tasks on a computer.
  5. Self-report measure on whether they thought about their phone during the experiment.
• Results:

  1. Participants with phones in another room performed significantly better than those with phones on desk or in pocket/bag.
  2. Participants reported not thinking about their phones during the tests.
• Conclusion: 

  The mere presence of a smartphone, even when not in use, may reduce available cognitive capacity and impair cognitive functioning, even when individuals believe they are focused on the task at hand.
• Strengths:

  1. Experimental Design: Allows for establishing cause-effect relationships.
  2. Large Sample Size: 548 participants, increasing statistical power and reliability.
  3. Controlled Environment: Easily replicable procedure.
  4. Use of Deception: Minimized demand characteristics.
  5. Multiple Conditions: Allowed for comparison of different levels of phone proximity.
• Limitations:

  1. Ecological Validity: Performing working memory tasks on a computer may not reflect realistic learning situations.
  2. WEIRD Sample: Potentially limited generalizability to non-Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic populations.
  3. Short-term Effects: Only indicates immediate impact, not long-term effects.
  4. Self-report Measure: Potential bias in reporting thoughts about phone during the experiment.
  5. Awareness of Being in an Experiment: Participants might have guessed the relevance of phones, potentially influencing results.