Anna Ing

University Honors with Honors in Psychology

Major: Psychology

Supervisor: Jeffrey Toth, Psychology

The Effects of Working-Memory Training on Cognitive Performance in Young Adults

Working-memory (WM) is the ability to temporarily retain and manipulate information and task goals in the face of distraction. Research on the processes underlying this ability has shown it to be strongly related to both fluid intelligence and the performance of numerous real-world tasks. WM abilities vary widely in the general population and show declines as a function of both age and neural insult. An important applied goal is the development of training procedures and programs that can improve WM skills. Based on research showing that computer games can enhance cognitive functions, the current study examined the ability of a theory-based computer game, Trivia Poker, to target and train WM. Using a randomized, double-blind, pre-/post-test, play-at-home procedure, twenty-four university students were assigned to play either Trivia Poker or a control game (Solitaire) over a 6-day period that intervened between testing on a battery of cognitive measures designed to assess processing speed, working memory, long-term memory, and reasoning. Results showed small increases in test performance on most criterion measures from pre- to post-testing, indicative of practice effects. However, no differences in training gains were found between the two training games. Discussion revolves around reasons for this lack of difference, including the low-level of training time in the Trivia Poker group, and the possibility that sustained play of Solitaire acted as a form of cognitive training. Overall, the findings indicate the need for further investigation of the effectiveness of Trivia Poker and other computer games in enhancing WM performance in young adults.