Working Memory Training and Implicit Learning

Recent studies have shown that working memory can be improved through training and this improvement generalizes to other cognitive measures. Working memory studies typically focus on the retention of random sequences; however, much of what working memory is used for is not random. This study investigated what effect probabilistic structure has on adaptive training of working memory and how differing levels of structure affect generalization to other cognitive tasks. Participants received four days of working memory training that was either adaptive or non adaptive with sequences that were constrained or probabilistic. A battery of cognitive measures was taken at preand posttest. Probabilistic structure provided beneficial effects on adaptive training of working memory in as little as four hours of training. Moreover, these benefits carried over to improvements on measures of non-verbal reasoning and executive function.