Session number: 27
Average n-back: 4.40
I completed this training session in under 30 minutes. I took no breaks between blocks. I completed the entire 20 training blocks without a break to relax. Why would this be important?
Notwithstanding the positive effect that breaks have on the performance of the n-back task, taking breaks might actually have a negative effect on the improvement in Gf. In the results section of Jaeggi et al (2008, p. 03, para. 01) it states that the increase in Gf was independent of final n-back score. In the discussion section, it states that: “The averaged n-back level in the last session is therefore not critical to predicting a gain in Gf; rather, it seems that working at the capacity limit promotes transfer to Gf” (Jaeggi et al., p. 04, para. 02). That indicates that performance on the n-back training is not critical to predicting a Gf gain. What does this mean for taking breaks during the training?
Taking a break during the training may be a strategy for increasing performance but decreasing transfer to Gf. By taking a break, it might be possible to score a higher n-back average for a given training session. The problem is that taking a break limits the continuous duration at which the mind is working at capacity, and working at capacity is what determines the transfer of the training to Gf. This is why I tried the training today without taking any break: Stopping to meditate when we become frustrated or lost might have positive effects on performance but negative effects on transfer.
Interestingly, most studies of motor learning generally distinguish between performance effects, retention effects, and transfer effects. Might this also be important for the n-back training?
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Here is an analogy to fitness training. Two athletes each run at high intensity for 25 minutes. One athlete does five sets of a five minute run, and makes sure to rest for five minutes between each set. The other athlete runs continuously for 25 minutes. Each trains like this for 19 days. At the end of the training, who has improved their fitness the most?
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Submitted by Shaun Luttin.
This post was submitted by Shaun Luttin.
Tags: Brain Exercises, brain-fitness, brain-fitness-pro, buschkuehl, increase intelligence, increase IQ, intelligence-training, IQ-training, jaeggi, martin-buschkuehl, mind-sparke, susanne-jaeggi, Training Working-Memory, working-memory
Hello, Shaun.
A bold and brave experiment. Bravo!
If you decide to continue training without breaks it will be interesting to see whether you notice a difference in the effect.
I would read Susanne Jaeggi’s comment slightly differently to mean that overall effort to extend the capacity level is significant to improving Gf.
We must also remember that experiments have shown that focused attention is critical to long-term plastic change. If we can stay focused through sheer determination — as you have done — all well and good. But if we must take breaks to remain focused then perhaps that is best for us.
The analogy to physical exercise may or may not apply. But power athletes do work at interval training, putting out peak performance for brief spurts then fully resting.
Martin