ERIC Number: EJ929687
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-May
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1363-755X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Differential Effects of Reasoning and Speed Training in Children
Mackey, Allyson P.; Hill, Susanna S.; Stone, Susan I.; Bunge, Silvia A.
Developmental Science, v14 n3 p582-590 May 2011
The goal of this study was to determine whether intensive training can ameliorate cognitive skills in children. Children aged 7 to 9 from low socioeconomic backgrounds participated in one of two cognitive training programs for 60 minutes/day and 2 days/week, for a total of 8 weeks. Both training programs consisted of commercially available computerized and non-computerized games. Reasoning training emphasized planning and relational integration; speed training emphasized rapid visual detection and rapid motor responses. Standard assessments of reasoning ability--the Test of Non-Verbal Intelligence (TONI-3) and cognitive speed (Coding B from WISC IV)--were administered to all children before and after training. Neither group was exposed to these standardized tests during training. Children in the reasoning group improved substantially on TONI (Cohen's d = 1.51), exhibiting an average increase of 10 points in Performance IQ, but did not improve on Coding. By contrast, children in the speed group improved substantially on Coding (d = 1.15), but did not improve on TONI. Counter to widespread belief, these results indicate that both fluid reasoning and processing speed are modifiable by training.
Descriptors: Standardized Tests, Cognitive Processes, Training, Computer Uses in Education, Games, Intelligence Quotient, Children, Child Development
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Test of Nonverbal Intelligence
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A