Brain training games increase general fluid intelligence
Extensive research and meta-analytic evidence indicate that while brain training can improve performance on specific trained tasks, these cognitive gains generally fail to transfer to improvements in broad fluid intelligence.
The retrieved literature contains multiple individual studies and meta-analyses showing a lack of far-transfer effects from working memory or cognitive training to fluid intelligence. Although a couple of studies (such as [1] and [3]) suggest weak or limited transfer under specific conditions, the stronger consensus from rigorous controls and meta-analytic reviews (such as [4]) indicates that brain training does not reliably increase general fluid intelligence.
Radosław Wujcik, Michał Nowak, Edward Nęcka. Enhancement of Executive Control through Short-term Cognitive Training: Far-transfer Effects on General Fluid Intelligence. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1515/ppb-2017-0009
This study found that short-term executive control training improved general fluid intelligence, although the gains were partially attributed to general participation effects rather than specific cognitive improvements.
Zhao Xin, Zhou‐Ren Lai, Fu. Li, Joseph H. R. Maes. Near‐ and Far‐Transfer Effects of Working Memory Updating Training in Elderly Adults. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3011
This study found significant positive effects on trained tasks, but observed an absence of transfer effects to higher-order cognitive processes like non-verbal reasoning in elderly adults.
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Ludmiła Zając-Lamparska, Janusz Trempała. Effects of working memory and attentional control training and their transfer onto fluid intelligence in early and late adulthood. 2016. https://doi.org/10.5114/hpr.2016.56846
While this study noted a weak transfer effect onto fluid intelligence, it emphasized that the overall effectiveness of basic cognitive training is extremely limited and dependent on specific conditions.
Stefanie Lange, Heinz‐Martin Süß. Experimental Evaluation of Near‐ and Far‐Transfer Effects of an Adaptive Multicomponent Working Memory Training. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3126
This study found no far-transfer effects to reasoning abilities, noting that improvements were largely driven by unspecific factors rather than true cognitive enhancement.
Jose A. Rodas, Ciara Greene. Small Improvements in Working Memory After Cognitive Training do not Transfer to Fluid Intelligence: Evidence From a Meta-analysis. 2020. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/9j64y
This comprehensive meta-analysis concluded that while working memory can be improved slightly through training, these gains do not generalize to complex skills such as fluid intelligence.
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