Dual N-Back browser-based "game" in public alpha-testing state.

https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/iChEzNBM6Y55Fr8kG/dual-n-back-browser-based-game-in-public-alpha-testing-state

Link.

Found here: http://​​www.reddit.com/​​r/​​cogsci/​​comments/​​wb44q/​​my_dual_nback_browsergame_is_ready_for/​​

From the author:

Quick notes:

Comment

https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/iChEzNBM6Y55Fr8kG/dual-n-back-browser-based-game-in-public-alpha-testing-state?commentId=LJahEZcXkdWRjLNQQ

A decent (randomized, has placebo control) recent article finding no transfer here (pdf). Not saying this is the final word on dual-n-back but enough for me to spend time elsewhere until more evidence comes in....

Comment

  • id
    7M7QH9X3ntqiRibgS
  • authors
    DanielVarga
  • score
    1
  • omega_karma
  • votes
    1
  • date_published
    2012-07-13T08:39
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/iChEzNBM6Y55Fr8kG/dual-n-back-browser-based-game-in-public-alpha-testing-state?commentId=7M7QH9X3ntqiRibgS

That was an interesting read, thanks. But I laughed out loud when they explained how they increased the IQ variance of their sample. The original study worked with students from the University of Bern, a group too homogeneous with respect to intelligence. To increase diversity, the replication works with students from Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, and Michigan State University. That is playing to the stereotypes.

  • id
    rpJFgQFRFM4vj7Fai
  • authors
    gwern
  • score
    1
  • omega_karma
  • votes
    1
  • date_published
    2012-07-12T19:27
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/iChEzNBM6Y55Fr8kG/dual-n-back-browser-based-game-in-public-alpha-testing-state?commentId=rpJFgQFRFM4vj7Fai

There’s still at least 1 more study coming out, one involving Stephenson (whose 2010 thesis was one of the strongest datapoints, according to my meta-analysis). I’ve been told that it found transfer to fluid intelligence when using visual single n-back, but not audio n-back.

https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/iChEzNBM6Y55Fr8kG/dual-n-back-browser-based-game-in-public-alpha-testing-state?commentId=gk8MuzNMpmux5qvdF

I wonder if a DDR version of Dual-N-Back could be devised?

Comment

  • id
    uRW9PZwofznSETABD
  • authors
    shokwave
  • score
    3
  • omega_karma
  • votes
    2
  • date_published
    2012-07-10T21:41
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/iChEzNBM6Y55Fr8kG/dual-n-back-browser-based-game-in-public-alpha-testing-state?commentId=uRW9PZwofznSETABD

It could! Exactly like the normal DDR, except you only stomp a pad if it’s the same direction as N-back arrow was. The distribution of arrows would have to change somewhat.

https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/iChEzNBM6Y55Fr8kG/dual-n-back-browser-based-game-in-public-alpha-testing-state?commentId=NxuA6ibC4zkSREmF3

Some context: Several frequently cited studies on working memory training using dual n-back, most famously Jaeggi et al. 2008 strongly indicated that WMT could reliably produce lasting benefits to fluid intelligence. These studies obviously provide great material for marketing cognitive training software. See for instance this page by Lumosity:

In 2008, Dr. Susanne Jaeggi, Dr. Martin Buschkuehl and colleagues at the University of Michigan showed that cognitive training with a task called Dual N-Back enhanced fluid intelligence – the ability to creatively solve new problems, and a critical component of IQ. This study involved healthy young adults, mostly university students. After as little as eight hours of training, young adults who trained saw significant gains in fluid intelligence and working memory. We have worked with the Michigan group to include a version of their training program on Lumosity. In addition, we have created a game-like version of their task called Memory Lane.

However, later studies seem to have found little evidence in support of these claims. For example, the 2012 meta-analysis Is Working Memory Training Effective? concludes:

The absence of transfer to tasks that are unlike the training tasks shows that there is no evidence these programs are suitable as methods of treatment for children with developmental cognitive disorders or as ways of effecting general improvements in adults’ or children’s cognitive skills or scholastic attainments.

To me, it seems that the case for dual-n back exercises actually yielding transferable improvements to intelligence and memory is much weaker after some years of scrutiny. The linked dual-n back game seems like an excellent alternative to existing n-back software. I’m not sure it’s worth the time and effort.

Comment

  • id
    e6eBjfy5YWFg34mrY
  • authors
    gwern
  • score
    5
  • omega_karma
  • votes
    4
  • date_published
    2012-07-12T19:28
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/iChEzNBM6Y55Fr8kG/dual-n-back-browser-based-game-in-public-alpha-testing-state?commentId=e6eBjfy5YWFg34mrY

My meta-analysis supports the claim that much of the transfer is an effect due to using no-contact control groups.

  • id
    WBNQyq8aTjYAcXsup
  • authors
    buybuydandavis
  • score
    −1
  • omega_karma
  • votes
    1
  • date_published
    2012-07-10T19:19
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/iChEzNBM6Y55Fr8kG/dual-n-back-browser-based-game-in-public-alpha-testing-state?commentId=WBNQyq8aTjYAcXsup

The absence of transfer to tasks that are unlike the training tasks shows that there is no evidence …

They wouldn’t have even run a study if there was no evidence. Finding no effect according to the study you made and the statistical tests you ran does not make eradicate that prior evidence from existence, and more importantly, it doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t find evidence if you looked outside the parameters of your study and the particular statistical tests you used.