I (ok, almost) always agree with Annette and do here, but also think this issue has some solvability. We should know a few things about transfer of training, and I think there may be some potential for memory and cognitive training programs as part of a larger framework of effort. I don't know of any profession capable of developing such an integrative effort even if there were evidence for such things. My neuropsych friends love cognitive tests and a few pills that probably have equivalent evidence as some of these brain games. Hence, this area is ripe for fantasy and pseudoscience, and the harm Annette noted. Alas, the research and practical efforts seem piecemeal so far, and evidence pretty poor as regards some gimmicky "brain game" type of activity.
GPeterson Saginaw Valley State University Gary's iPad On Jul 6, 2010, at 9:23 AM, Annette Taylor <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > I have a very strong personal dislike for things that are "harmless" and so > people need not worry about there. They are always "harmful" IMHO, even if > people conclude they are harmless, because of opportunity cost. While people > are frittering away their time and money on something they could have been > spending it on something that works for them. > > Now, having said that, I think the point of the research on "brain games" as > people age is that the skills don't transfer. So, if you get good at keeping > your brain busy with crossword puzzles, well, that's what you're good at; but > you might not be any better at remembering to buy eggs next time you go to > the grocery store, or give your cat his antibiotics (yeah, I've been > forgetting both of those lately :( So, I think more research is needed. > Actually, since the primary complaint as people get older is that the get > forgetful, and I concur, as I'm getting older I'm much more forgetful, then, > I'd like to see specifically if games that teach memories strategies and > skills will transfer to everyday behavior. But whether they will increase all > cognitive domains....well, I think the literature so far does not support > that. I admit I don't read everything that comes my way to be sure about > that. > > Annette > > > Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph. D. > Professor, Psychological Sciences > University of San Diego > 5998 Alcala Park > San Diego, CA 92110 > [email protected] > From: Michael Britt [[email protected]] > Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2010 5:43 AM > To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) > Subject: [tips] Research on the so-called "Brain Training" games > > In an upcoming episode of my podcast I plan to review the recent article in > Nature magazine ("Putting Brain Training to the Test"). I'd like to cover > more than one article if possible. I'll be doing some research to find > others but if anyone knows of research that has evaluated the effectiveness > (or lack thereof) of these games please let me know. There's a ton of these > games out there and I suppose they're harmless in some respects but if indeed > they really don't contribute to improving cognitive functioning then we > really need to get the word out. > > Thanks, > > Michael > > Michael Britt > [email protected] > http://www.thepsychfiles.com > Twitter: mbritt > > > > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13534.4204dc3a11678c6b1d0be57cfe0a21b0&n=T&l=tips&o=3459 > or send a blank email to > leave-3459-13534.4204dc3a11678c6b1d0be57cfe0a2...@fsulist.frostburg.edu > > --- > > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13445.e3edca0f6e68bfb76eaf26a8eb6dd94b&n=T&l=tips&o=3460 > > (It may be necessary to cut and paste the above URL if the line is broken) > > or send a blank email to > leave-3460-13445.e3edca0f6e68bfb76eaf26a8eb6dd...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=3463 or send a blank email to leave-3463-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
