Cited by 77Cognitive Abilities and TestingCognitive and developmental aspects of mathematical skillsCognitive Functions and Memory

Do the effects of working memory training depend on baseline ability level?

Open access
Foster, Jeffrey L., Harrison, Tyler L., Hicks, Kenny L., Draheim, Christopher, Redick, Thomas S., Engle, Randall W.·2017·Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition

Abstract

There is a debate about the ability to improve cognitive abilities such as fluid intelligence through training on tasks of working memory capacity. The question addressed in the research presented here is who benefits the most from training: people with low cognitive ability or people with high cognitive ability? Subjects with high and low working memory capacity completed a 23-session study that included 3 assessment sessions, and 20 sessions of training on 1 of 3 training regiments: complex span training, running span training, or an active-control task. Consistent with other research, the authors found that training on 1 executive function did not transfer to ability on a different cognitive ability. High working memory subjects showed the largest gains on the training tasks themselves relative to the low working memory subjects-a finding that suggests high spans benefit more than low spans from training with executive function tasks. (PsycINFO Database Record

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Crossref · 10.1037/xlm0000426

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Authors
Foster, J. L., Harrison, T. L., Hicks, K. L., Draheim, C., Redick, T. S., & Engle, R. W.
Affiliations
  • Western Sydney University (AU)
  • Georgia Institute of Technology (US)
  • Purdue University West Lafayette (US)
Venue
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition
Published
2017-11
Volume
43
Issue
11
Pages
1677-1689
ISSN
  • 0278-7393 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1285
OpenAlex
W2617415924
Cited by
76
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 1
FWCI
11.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Experimental Psychology Learning Memory and Cognition (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Cognitive and developmental aspects of mathematical skills
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
Keywords
working memory training, working memory capacity, fluid intelligence, complex span, executive function, transfer of training, individual differences in training response
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Cognition, Humans, Intelligence, Learning, Memory, Short-Term, Neuropsychological Tests, Visual Perception, Young Adult, Executive Function

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