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Near transfer to an unrelated N-back task mediates the effect of N-back working memory training on matrix reasoning

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  • Anja Pahor

    (University of California, Irvine
    University of California, Riverside
    University of Maribor)

  • Aaron R. Seitz

    (University of California, Riverside)

  • Susanne M. Jaeggi

    (University of California, Irvine
    University of California, Irvine)

Abstract

The extent to which working memory training improves performance on untrained tasks is highly controversial. Here we address this controversy by testing the hypothesis that far transfer may depend on near transfer using mediation models in three separate randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In all three RCTs, totalling 460 individuals, performance on untrained N-back tasks (near transfer) mediated transfer to Matrix Reasoning (representing far transfer) despite the lack of an intervention effect in RCTs 2 and 3. Untrained N-back performance also mediated transfer to a working memory composite, which showed a significant intervention effect (RCT 3). These findings support a model of N-back training in which transfer to untrained N-back tasks gates further transfer (at least in the case of working memory at the construct level) and Matrix Reasoning. This model can help adjudicate between the many studies and meta-analyses of working memory training that have provided mixed results but have not examined the relationship between near and far transfer on an individual-differences level.

Suggested Citation

  • Anja Pahor & Aaron R. Seitz & Susanne M. Jaeggi, 2022. "Near transfer to an unrelated N-back task mediates the effect of N-back working memory training on matrix reasoning," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 6(9), pages 1243-1256, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:6:y:2022:i:9:d:10.1038_s41562-022-01384-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-022-01384-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Berger, Eva M. & Fehr, Ernst & Hermes, Henning & Schunk, Daniel & Winkel, Kirsten, 2020. "The Impact of Working Memory Training on Children's Cognitive and Noncognitive Skills," IZA Discussion Papers 13338, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Berger, Eva M. & Fehr, Ernst & Hermes, Henning & Schunk, Daniel & Winkel, Kirsten, 2020. "The Impact of Working Memory Training on Children's Cognitive and Noncognitive Skills," IZA Discussion Papers 13338, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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    4. Nicholas J. Schork, 2015. "Personalized medicine: Time for one-person trials," Nature, Nature, vol. 520(7549), pages 609-611, April.
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