Name: Anonymous 2006-04-21 13:15
LONDON — A recently published study by Cambridge University has found that using all caps and text speak when writing can cause mild retardation. Researchers studied a group of 50 people belonging to the age bracket of ten to 68 for eleven months by dividing the group into two smaller groups: one that would use regular language when chatting through an instant messenger, and another that would use all caps and internet slang. According to Michael Henley, PhD, one of the psychologists who were responsible for the study, the results were staggering: "When we first saw the results we could not comprehend how it could be possible that using all caps and 'txt speak' could have so dire effects on the mental health of a person. It showed that using 'txt speak' decreases a person's ability to spell words correctly, which is bad for it slows down the progress of a child or especially a teen and in some cases could even cause mild retardation. This in itself is a very alarming find."
The new study also found that in some cases capital letters and text speak, especially the combination of the two, could cause mild retardation in adults, not just teens whose brains are still developing. "What was most surprising," continues Michael Henley, "is the fact that adults can also be affected. We do not know what the mechanism behind this retardation is, but we do know the result."
Critics of the new study have debunked it as too premature, and have openly accused the group of psychologists that conducted the study of fabricating some of the results.
Experts said they hope that the new study will help unravel some of the mysteries still surrounding the enigmatic human brain which has been a hot topic among researchers in recent times.
The new study also found that in some cases capital letters and text speak, especially the combination of the two, could cause mild retardation in adults, not just teens whose brains are still developing. "What was most surprising," continues Michael Henley, "is the fact that adults can also be affected. We do not know what the mechanism behind this retardation is, but we do know the result."
Critics of the new study have debunked it as too premature, and have openly accused the group of psychologists that conducted the study of fabricating some of the results.
Experts said they hope that the new study will help unravel some of the mysteries still surrounding the enigmatic human brain which has been a hot topic among researchers in recent times.