Data_Sheet_4_Google effects on memory: a meta-analytical review of the media effects of intensive Internet search behavior.CSV

People are increasingly using the web for fact-checking and other forms of information seeking. The “Google effects” refers to the idea that individuals rely on the Internet as a source of knowledge rather than remembering it for themselves. However, few literature review have yet comprehensively examined the media effects of this intensive Internet search behavior. In this study, by carrying out meta-analysis, we found that google effects is closely associated with cognitive load, behavioral phenotype and cognitive self-esteem. And this phenomenon is also more likely to happen while using a mobile phone to browse the Internet rather than a computer. People with a larger knowledge base are less susceptible to the consequences of Internet use than those with a smaller knowledge base. The media effect was stronger for persons who had used the Internet before than for those who had not. And meta-analyses show that participants in North America (parameter = −1.0365, 95%CI = [−1.8758, −0.1972], p < 0.05) are more susceptible to frequent Internet search behavior relative to other regions. Overall, google effects on memory challenges the way individuals seek and read information, and it may lead to changes in cognitive and memory mechanisms.

当下，人们愈发依赖网络开展事实核查与各类信息检索活动。“谷歌效应”(Google Effects)指个体将互联网作为知识来源而非自行记忆信息的认知现象。然而，目前鲜有综述性研究全面探讨此类高频互联网搜索行为的媒介效应。本研究通过元分析(meta-analysis)发现，谷歌效应与认知负荷、行为表型及认知自尊显著相关。且相较于使用计算机上网，该现象在使用移动设备浏览网络时更易出现。知识储备更丰富的个体相较于知识储备薄弱者，更不易受互联网使用带来的相关影响的干扰。此前有互联网使用经验的群体，其媒介效应强度高于无相关经验的群体。元分析结果显示，相较于其他地区的被试，北美地区的被试(参数=-1.0365，95%CI=[-1.8758, -0.1972]，p<0.05)更易受高频互联网搜索行为的影响。总体而言，谷歌效应对记忆的影响颠覆了个体获取与阅读信息的方式，并可能引发认知与记忆机制的改变。