How Strong Is the Evidence for the Effectiveness of Working Memory Training?
Abstract
This chapter argues that the question of whether working memory training can induce cognitive plasticity in terms of transfer effects cannot be conclusively answered yet due to persisting methodological issues across the literature. The shortcomings discussed include the lack of theoretically motivated selection of training and transfer tasks, the lack of active control groups, and small sample sizes. These problems call into question the strength of the existing evidence. Indeed, reevaluating published findings with Bayesian inference indicated that only a subset of published studies contributed interpretable evidence. The chapter concludes that the current body of literature cannot conclusively support claims that WM training does or does not improve cognitive abilities and stresses the need for theory-driven, methodologically sound studies with larger sample sizes.
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The study tested and closely supervised a larger-than-average sample of a typically neglected age group using an intensive, adaptive home-based intervention.
“Third, we tested and closely supervised a larger-than average sample [69] of a typically neglected age group using an intensive, adaptive home-based intervention.”
From Adaptive working memory training does not produce transfer effects in cognition and neuroimaging (2022) · cites this paper as [69]
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Working memory training in older adults: Bayesian evidence supporting the absence of transfer.
Guye, S., & von Bastian, C. C. (2017) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/pag0000206 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Self-citationAdaptive working memory training does not produce transfer effects in cognition and neuroimaging
Ripp, I., Emch, M., Wu, Q., Lizarraga, A., Udale, R., von Bastian, C. C., Koch, K., & Yakushev, I. (2022) · Translational Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41398-022-02272-7 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“Third, we tested and closely supervised a larger-than average sample [69] of a typically neglected age group using an intensive, adaptive home-based intervention.”
MethodSelf-citationMechanisms of Training-Related Change in Processing Speed: A Drift-Diffusion Model Approach
Reinhartz, A., Strobach, T., Jacobsen, T., & von Bastian, C. C. (2023) · Journal of Cognition · doi:10.5334/joc.310 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Self-citationTDCS over PPC or DLPFC does not improve visual working memory capacity
Jiang, S., Jones, M., & von Bastian, C. C. (2024) · Communications Psychology · doi:10.1038/s44271-024-00067-8 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Self-citationGuye, S., Röcke, C., Martin, M., & von Bastian, C. C. (2019) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbz056 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Self-citationCognitive Training Across the Adult Lifespan
Guye, S., Röcke, C., Mérillat, S., von Bastian, C. C., & Martin, M. (2020) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-39292-5_10 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Self-citationAn experimental manipulation of the value of effortPreprint
Lin, H., Westbrook, A., Fan, F., & Inzlicht, M. (2021) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/gnk4m · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Schmiedek, F. (2020) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-39292-5_2 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Is working memory domain-general or domain-specific? Implications for theory and practicePreprint
Nozari, N., & Martin, R. C. (2024) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/d7a6j · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Zając-Lamparska, L., Zabielska‐Mendyk, E., Zapała, D., & Augustynowicz, P. (2025) · International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.ijchp.2025.100568 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
- Authors
- Bastian, C. C. V., Guye, S., & Simoni, C. D.
- Venue
- Cognitive and Working Memory Training
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Published
- 2019-12-01
- Pages
- 58-76
- OpenAlex
- W3002845537
- Cited by
- 10
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 5.62
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Oxford University Press eBooks (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, cognitive plasticity, transfer effects, quality of evidence, methodological issues, active control groups, sample size, Bayesian reanalysis, cognitive enhancement
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