工作记忆训练远迁移效应的证据与争议

Evidence and Controversy about the Far Transfer Effect in Working Memory Training

作为提升认知能力的重要手段,工作记忆训练的迁移效应受到广泛关注。已有研究表明工作记忆训练存在稳定的近迁移效应,但其远迁移效应却常受质疑。本文通过梳理工作记忆训练相关研究,在总结远迁移效应研究中主要争议的基础上,分析了产生这些争议的潜在混淆因素。作者提出,未来应该着眼于从工作记忆的加工机制、工作记忆不同成分在迁移效应中的作用、以及迁移产生的神经机制等方面,对远迁移效应开展更为深入系统的研究。

Enhancing high-level cognitive functions through training on working memory has attracted much attention from numerous researchers. While working memory (WM) training has been demonstrated to yield robust near transfer effect, it is still under intensive debate about whether there is a reliable far transfer effect. In this review, we reviewed the evidence supporting far transfer effect of WM training, and that do not. Especially, we examined those factors that may lead to inconsistent findings in meta-analyses, and analyzed the potential confounding variables when investigating the effect. The theoretical basis for far transfer effect in WM training was also discussed. Finally, we proposed that future studies should focus on uncovering the mechanisms of WM, the roles of different WM components in transfer and the neural substrates of transfer effect, which could be helpful in dealing with inconsistence in the field.