To anyone interested, Gwern also did some extensive research on Dual N-Back.
Gwern’s DNB FAQ[0] offers some favorable opinion on DNB (in that it’s fascinating, though much larger gains can be achieved via many other means—meditation, environmental changes, etc.—before DNB can start to give any meaningful effect). Later meta-analysis[1] links post-DNB IQ gains to methodological problems in studies, with quite small remaining positive effect that may be linked to further biases.
(Note that currently the FAQ is marked “unlikely” and the meta-analysis is marked “highly likely”.)
The results are overall not so rosy and I personally am under the impression that DNB is of little utility, if not a waste of time or highly depending on luck[2].
Some of the links from https://www.quora.com/How-does-dual-n-back-actually-increase..., however, lead to studies supporting DNB’s reputation as a great way to increase anyone’s IQ. I don’t know if newer studies avoid the biases of the ones Gwern looked at.
nice analysis. My experience with DNB is that it definitely slightly improved my working memory after quite a lot of practice. One side-effect I noticed was an improved ability to track people's arguments and notice inconsistencies. However, in order to get to say 4-back took a lot of practice and it only worked when I was well-rested and nourished. When I was tired I simply could not improve. And DNB is ever so boring.
i just used an iphone app (IQBoost I think..it's been a while) & did the sound+vision version with headphones, practicing in groups of 3 with a break inbetween until & got bored
Gwern’s DNB FAQ[0] offers some favorable opinion on DNB (in that it’s fascinating, though much larger gains can be achieved via many other means—meditation, environmental changes, etc.—before DNB can start to give any meaningful effect). Later meta-analysis[1] links post-DNB IQ gains to methodological problems in studies, with quite small remaining positive effect that may be linked to further biases.
(Note that currently the FAQ is marked “unlikely” and the meta-analysis is marked “highly likely”.)
The results are overall not so rosy and I personally am under the impression that DNB is of little utility, if not a waste of time or highly depending on luck[2].
Some of the links from https://www.quora.com/How-does-dual-n-back-actually-increase..., however, lead to studies supporting DNB’s reputation as a great way to increase anyone’s IQ. I don’t know if newer studies avoid the biases of the ones Gwern looked at.
[0] https://www.gwern.net/DNB%20meta-analysis
[1] https://www.gwern.net/DNB%20FAQ#n-back-in-general
[2] There are many options on how to do DNB exercise, including test presentation, features, training length, and so on.