Reexamining the "brain drain" effect: A replication of Ward et al. (2017).
Level 2 - randomized trial
Pre-registered randomized laboratory experiment comparing cognitive performance across assigned conditions
PubMed 36007374 · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103717
What was done
This study was a pre-registered direct replication of Ward et al.'s (2017) second experiment. Participants were assigned to one of six experimental conditions crossing smartphone location (on desk, in pocket/bag, or outside of the testing room) and smartphone power state (on or off). Outcomes were measured using an automated operation span (OSpan) task to test working memory capacity, a Cue-Dependent Go/No-Go task to assess inhibitory control, and a smartphone attachment and dependency inventory.
What was found
The abstract provides no numerical data, sample sizes, or test statistics. It reports that the original "brain drain" effect failed to replicate: there were no differences between smartphone location conditions on either the OSpan task or the Go/No-Go task, regardless of smartphone attachment or dependency.
Why it matters
This replication directly challenges the influential finding that the mere presence of a smartphone passively depletes working memory capacity and attentional resources.
Limits
The abstract does not state the sample size, statistical power, effect size estimates, or confidence intervals. The findings are restricted to acute laboratory testing environments and specific computer-based cognitive tasks, which may not reflect real-world smartphone use or distraction.