Abstract

MANSUR-ALVES, Marcela  and  SALDANHA-SILVA, Renata. Does working memory training promote changes in fluid intelligence?. Temas psicol. [online]. 2017, vol.25, n.2, pp. 787-807. ISSN 1413-389X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.9788/TP2017.2-19Pt.

Intelligence is a main predictor for a variety of social, academic, and economical outcomes. Therefore, researchers have been increasingly dedicated to pursuing ways to improve intelligence. In the recent years, a great interest in working memory training programs has risen as a form to achieve changes in intelligence. However, the efficacy of these programs is still surrounded by controversies. The current review aims to perform a critical analysis of the literature, reassessing the effects of working memory training that leads to improvements in fluid intelligence. After data collection and a detailed literature review, the effects of working memory training leading to intelligence gain from 45 studies were assessed. A great variety in methodology was observed within the studies, which used mainly non-clinical samples, with some material incentive and an n<30. Raven was the predominant measure of efficacy for training in fluid intelligence, and the improvements in intelligence were significant for groups of children of similar age range and for longer training periods. The positive effects observed are still insufficient to indicate a transfer to fluid intelligence, suggesting that a more cautious approach of the current similar interventions may be necessary.

Keywords : Intelligence; cognitive training; working memory; far transfer.

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