Working Memory Training Involves Learning New Skills

Overview

Journal J Mem Lang

Publisher Elsevier

Date 2019 Jun 26

PMID 31235992

Citations 65

Authors

Susan E Gathercole

Darren L Dunning

Joni Holmes

Dennis Norris

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We present a new framework characterizing training-induced changes in WM as the acquisition of novel cognitive routines akin to learning a new skill. Predictions were tested in three studies analyzing the transfer between WM tasks following WM training. Study 1 reports a meta-analysis establishing substantial transfer when trained and untrained tasks shared either a serial recall, complex span or backward span paradigm. Transfer was weaker for serial recall of verbal than visuo-spatial material, suggesting that this paradigm is served by an existing verbal STM system and does not require a new routine. Re-analysis of published WM training data in Study 2 showed that transfer was restricted to tasks sharing properties proposed to require new routines. In a re-analysis of data from four studies, Study 3 demonstrated that transfer was greatest for children with higher fluid cognitive abilities. These findings suggest that development of new routines depends on general cognitive resources and that they can only be applied to other similarly-structured tasks.

Citing Articles

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Examining Working Memory Training for Healthy Adults-A Second-Order Meta-Analysis.

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Does working memory training in children need to be adaptive? A randomized controlled trial.

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Evidence for separate backward recall and -back working memory factors: a large-scale latent variable analysis.

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