Near and Far Transfer in Cognitive Training: A Second-Order Meta-Analysis
Theory building in science requires replication and integration of findings regarding a particular research question. Second-order meta-analysis (i.e., a meta-analysis of meta-analyses) offers a powerful tool for achieving this aim, and we use this technique to illuminate the controversial field of...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of California Press
2019-04-01
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| Series: | Collabra: Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.collabra.org/articles/203 |
| _version_ | 1811221387923161088 |
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| author | Giovanni Sala N. Deniz Aksayli K. Semir Tatlidil Tomoko Tatsumi Yasuyuki Gondo Fernand Gobet |
| author_facet | Giovanni Sala N. Deniz Aksayli K. Semir Tatlidil Tomoko Tatsumi Yasuyuki Gondo Fernand Gobet |
| author_sort | Giovanni Sala |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Theory building in science requires replication and integration of findings regarding a particular research question. Second-order meta-analysis (i.e., a meta-analysis of meta-analyses) offers a powerful tool for achieving this aim, and we use this technique to illuminate the controversial field of cognitive training. Recent replication attempts and large meta-analytic investigations have shown that the benefits of cognitive-training programs hardly go beyond the trained task and similar tasks. However, it is yet to be established whether the effects differ across cognitive-training programs and populations (children, adults, and older adults). We addressed this issue by using second-order meta-analysis. In Models 1 (k = 99) and 2 (k = 119), we investigated the impact of working-memory training on near-transfer (i.e., memory) and far-transfer (e.g., reasoning, speed, and language) measures, respectively, and whether it is mediated by the type of population. Model 3 (k = 233) extended Model 2 by adding six meta-analyses assessing the far-transfer effects of other cognitive-training programs (video-games, music, chess, and exergames). Model 1 showed that working-memory training does induce near transfer, and that the size of this effect is moderated by the type of population. By contrast, Models 2 and 3 highlighted that far-transfer effects are small or null. Crucially, when placebo effects and publication bias were controlled for, the overall effect size and true variance equaled zero. That is, no impact on far-transfer measures was observed regardless of the type of population and cognitive-training program. The lack of generalization of skills acquired by training is thus an invariant of human cognition. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T07:58:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1296dc80a4324eb3b481800fa6135f68 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2474-7394 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T07:58:24Z |
| publishDate | 2019-04-01 |
| publisher | University of California Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Collabra: Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-1296dc80a4324eb3b481800fa6135f682022-12-22T03:41:24ZengUniversity of California PressCollabra: Psychology2474-73942019-04-015110.1525/collabra.203126Near and Far Transfer in Cognitive Training: A Second-Order Meta-AnalysisGiovanni Sala0N. Deniz Aksayli1K. Semir Tatlidil2Tomoko Tatsumi3Yasuyuki Gondo4Fernand Gobet5Osaka University, Graduate School of Human Sciences, SuitaUniversity of Nottingham, School of Computer Science, NottinghamBrown University, Department of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences, Providence: RIKobe University, Graduate School of Intercultural Studies, KobeOsaka University, Graduate School of Human Sciences, SuitaUniversity of Liverpool, Department of Psychological Sciences, LiverpoolTheory building in science requires replication and integration of findings regarding a particular research question. Second-order meta-analysis (i.e., a meta-analysis of meta-analyses) offers a powerful tool for achieving this aim, and we use this technique to illuminate the controversial field of cognitive training. Recent replication attempts and large meta-analytic investigations have shown that the benefits of cognitive-training programs hardly go beyond the trained task and similar tasks. However, it is yet to be established whether the effects differ across cognitive-training programs and populations (children, adults, and older adults). We addressed this issue by using second-order meta-analysis. In Models 1 (k = 99) and 2 (k = 119), we investigated the impact of working-memory training on near-transfer (i.e., memory) and far-transfer (e.g., reasoning, speed, and language) measures, respectively, and whether it is mediated by the type of population. Model 3 (k = 233) extended Model 2 by adding six meta-analyses assessing the far-transfer effects of other cognitive-training programs (video-games, music, chess, and exergames). Model 1 showed that working-memory training does induce near transfer, and that the size of this effect is moderated by the type of population. By contrast, Models 2 and 3 highlighted that far-transfer effects are small or null. Crucially, when placebo effects and publication bias were controlled for, the overall effect size and true variance equaled zero. That is, no impact on far-transfer measures was observed regardless of the type of population and cognitive-training program. The lack of generalization of skills acquired by training is thus an invariant of human cognition.https://www.collabra.org/articles/203cognitive interventioncognitive trainingmeta-analysissecond-order meta-analysistransfer |
| spellingShingle | Giovanni Sala N. Deniz Aksayli K. Semir Tatlidil Tomoko Tatsumi Yasuyuki Gondo Fernand Gobet Near and Far Transfer in Cognitive Training: A Second-Order Meta-Analysis Collabra: Psychology cognitive intervention cognitive training meta-analysis second-order meta-analysis transfer |
| title | Near and Far Transfer in Cognitive Training: A Second-Order Meta-Analysis |
| title_full | Near and Far Transfer in Cognitive Training: A Second-Order Meta-Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Near and Far Transfer in Cognitive Training: A Second-Order Meta-Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Near and Far Transfer in Cognitive Training: A Second-Order Meta-Analysis |
| title_short | Near and Far Transfer in Cognitive Training: A Second-Order Meta-Analysis |
| title_sort | near and far transfer in cognitive training a second order meta analysis |
| topic | cognitive intervention cognitive training meta-analysis second-order meta-analysis transfer |
| url | https://www.collabra.org/articles/203 |
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