Formation of abstract task representations: Exploring dosage and mechanisms of working memory training effects

Cognition
Nitzan ShaharNachshon Meiran

Abstract

Working memory is strongly involved in human reasoning, abstract thinking and decision making. Past studies have shown that working memory training generalizes to untrained working memory tasks with similar structure (near-transfer effect). Here, we focused on two questions: First, we ask how much training might be required in order to find a reliable near-transfer effect? Second, we ask which choice- mechanism might underlie training benefits? Participants were allocated to one of three groups: working-memory training (combined set-shifting and N-back task), active-control (visual search) and no-contact control. During pre/post testing, all participants completed tests tapping procedural and declarative working memory as well as reasoning. We found improved performance only in the procedural working-memory transfer tasks, a transfer task that shared a similar structure to that of the training task. Intermediate testing throughout the training period suggest that this effect emerged as soon as after 2 training sessions. We applied evidence accumulation modeling to investigate the choice process responsible for this near-transfer effect and found that trained participants, compared with active-controls had quicker retrieval of t...Continue Reading

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Apr 9, 2017·Psychiatry Research·Nitzan ShaharNachshon Meiran

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Citations

Dec 12, 2019·Experimental Psychology·Wilhelm Hofmann, Georg Förster
Dec 19, 2020·Mechanisms of Ageing and Development·Vasiliki StavroulakiKyriaki Sidiropoulou
Jul 20, 2021·Journal of Cognition·Maayan PeregNachshon Meiran

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