By Gregory Kellett, a cognitive neuroscience researcher at SFSU and UCSF, and science writer for Lumos Labs.
A study conducted by Martin Buschkuehl and Susanne Jaeggi in John Jonides’ lab at the University of Michigan indicates that it is possible to improve on measures of fluid intelligence by training one’s working memory.
The concept of fluid intelligence (gF) as defined by its founder Raymond Cattell is “…the ability to perceive relationships independent of previous specific practice or instruction concerning those relationships.” Fluid intelligence contributes to abilities like learning and problem solving. It is distinct from its counterpart, crystallized intelligence (cF) which involves “…abilities that have obviously been acquired, such as verbal and numerical ability, mechanical aptitude, social skills, and so on.”
Fluid intelligence tests usually entail completing visual patterns of some kind. Performance on such tests typically declines after reaching a peak in early adulthood. This study, however, offers evidence that it’s possible to improve fluid intelligence, at least temporarily.
The researchers used a computer-based working memory task called the “dual n-back” to simultaneously administer auditory and visual stimuli in sequence. A response was required whenever one of the presented stimuli (visual or auditory) matched a previously presented stimulus n positions back in the sequence. Four groups trained daily for either 8, 12, 17 or 19 days, with each group being matched by a control group that did not have training. Pre and post tests of fluid intelligence were given to all groups.
What the study found:
- The working memory training significantly improved performance on the fluid intelligence tests.
- Fluid intelligence performance improved in proportion to the amount of training received.
- Working memory (as measured by digit span) also improved significantly.
The authors suggest that the above effects were due primarily to an increased ability to control attention.
References:
Cattell, R. B. (1971). Abilities: Their structure, growth, and action. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
Jaeggi, S., Buschkuehl, M., Jonides, J., Perrig, J. (2008). “Improving fluid intelligence with training on working memory.” PNAS- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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