Expanding the mind's workspace: Training and transfer effects with a complex working memory span task
Open accessAbstract
In the present study, a novel working memory (WM) training paradigm was used to test the malleability of WM capacity and to determine the extent to which the benefits of this training could be transferred to other cognitive skills. Training involved verbal and spatial versions of a complex WM span task designed to emphasize simultaneous storage and processing requirements. Participants who completed 4 weeks of WM training demonstrated significant improvements on measures of temporary memory. These WM training benefits generalized to performance on the Stroop task and, in a novel finding, promoted significant increases in reading comprehension. The results are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that WM training affects domain-general attention control mechanisms and can thereby elicit far-reaching cognitive benefits. Implications include the use of WM training as a general tool for enhancing important cognitive skills.
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Transfer to sequencing and/or complex WM tasks has been reported by some N-back training studies but not others.
“Transfer to sequencing and/or complex WM tasks has been reported by some57–63, but not other N-back training studies58,64–70.”
From Near transfer to an unrelated N-back task mediates the effect of N-back working memory training on matrix reasoning (2022) · cites this paper as [59]
The Discussion (page not provided) identifies this study’s training task as an adaptive complex working-memory (CWM) span task, not an N-back task; it describes N-back as a different training paradigm used by earlier studies. This paper therefore cannot serve as an example of an N-back training study that failed to show the stated transfer. (LLM, conf=0.88)
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Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredChein and Morrison (2010) found a significant effect of complex span training on executive control, t(38) = 1.81, p = .039 (one-sided).
“Chein and Morrison (2010) reported a significant effect of complex span training on executive control with a t(38) = 1.81, which was reported as significant (p = .039,one-sided).”
From Reevaluating the effectiveness of n-back training on transfer through the Bayesian lens: Support for the null (2016) · cites this paper as Chein and Morrison (2010)
Table 1 (page unavailable in our copy) reports a significant between-group effect on cognitive control, measured with the Stroop test: t(40) = 1.81, p = .039. The Results state that the t tests were one-tailed. The claim gives the wrong degrees of freedom, t(38); that value appears in Table 1 for reading comprehension, not cognitive control. (LLM, conf=0.94)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThere is no consensus on transfer to inhibitory control measures, with some WM training studies reporting benefits and others not.
“there is no consensus regarding transfer to inhibitory control measures, with some WM training studies reporting training-related benefits59,60,71,72, yet others failing to find evidence of transfer51,73.”
From Near transfer to an unrelated N-back task mediates the effect of N-back working memory training on matrix reasoning (2022) · cites this paper as [59]
The verbal complex span training gains were equivalent to or greater than previous studies, with a 36% increase compared with the 25% increase reported by Chein and Morrison (2010).
“in which our participants showed improvements equivalent to or greater than previous studies (36 % increase compared to the 25 % increase reported in Chein & Morrison (2010)).”
From A simultaneous examination of two forms of working memory training: Evidence for near transfer only (2016) · cites this paper as Chein & Morrison (2010)
Training on a specific working memory task can improve performance on untrained working memory tasks.
“WM training on a given task can transfer to improvements in untrained working memory tasks (Blacker et al. 2017; Lilienthal et al. 2013; Chein and Morrison 2010; Borella et al. 2010)”
From Divergent Research Methods Limit Understanding of Working Memory Training (2020) · cites this paper as Chein and Morrison 2010
Working memory training can also transfer to tasks in other cognitive domains, such as fluid intelligence.
“as well as tasks pertaining to other cognitive domains such as fluid intelligence (Jaeggi et al. 2008; Heinzel et al. 2017; Chein and Morrison 2010; Borella et al. 2010)”
From Divergent Research Methods Limit Understanding of Working Memory Training (2020) · cites this paper as Chein and Morrison 2010
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References 16 · Cited by 362
- Authors
- Chein, J. M., & Morrison, A. B.
- Affiliations
- Temple University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Chein, J. M.
- ORCID
- Chein, J. M.
- Venue
- Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
- Published
- 2010-04-01
- Volume
- 17
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 193-199
- ISSN
- 1069-9384 (ISSN-L)
- 1531-5320
- OpenAlex
- W1989021293
- Cited by
- 362
- References
- 16
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 36 · 2016: 36 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 35 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 32
- FWCI
- 37.86
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Psychonomic Bulletin & Review (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Keywords
- working memory training, working memory capacity, transfer effects, temporary memory, Stroop task, reading comprehension, attentional control, domain-general cognitive abilities, cognitive enhancement
- MeSH terms
- Cognition, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Short-Term, Psychological Tests, Psychomotor Performance, Reading, Spatial Behavior, Transfer, Psychology, Verbal Behavior, Comprehension, Young Adult, Stroop Test
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