Brain training games increase general fluid intelligence
the verdict
REFUTED
the evidence says no
confidence 16/100
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.
Evidence for · 1
Enhancement of Executive Control through Short-term Cognitive Training: Far-transfer Effects on General Fluid Intelligence
2017 · cited by 2
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.
Evidence against · 4
Near‐ and Far‐Transfer Effects of Working Memory Updating Training in Elderly Adults
2014 · cited by 21
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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More against · 3
Effects of working memory and attentional control training and their transfer onto fluid intelligence in early and late adulthood
2016 · cited by 16
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.
Experimental Evaluation of Near‐ and Far‐Transfer Effects of an Adaptive Multicomponent Working Memory Training
2015 · cited by 11
This study found no far-transfer effects to reasoning abilities, noting that improvements were largely driven by unspecific factors rather than true cognitive enhancement.
Small Improvements in Working Memory After Cognitive Training do not Transfer to Fluid Intelligence: Evidence From a Meta-analysis
2020 · cited by 1
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.