Is Effectiveness of Working Memory Training the Result of Placebo Effect?

Abstract

Abstract: Working memory training can improve intelligence, which has been supported by several research results. But at the same time, some researchers have suggested that the positive correlation of some studies between fluid intelligence and working memory training may result from the placebo effect. This study aimed to examine whether the effectiveness of working memory training is the result of placebo effect by conducting two experiments. In Experiment 1, participants were divided into two groups based on whether they had been informed the expectation of experiment. 50 college students were selected as samples to carry out working memory updating task. They were asked to complete the training task only once. The design of Experiment 2 was basically based on the foundation of experiment 1 but extended the period of training. Fluid intelligence tests were used to verify the relationship between the two groups' performance and the training dose. The results of Experiment 1 showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in the fluid intelligence test before and after. Nevertheless, the results of experiment 2 presented that the dose of training had significant effect on the participants' performance in the fluid intelligence test, while the recruitment methods did not. To sum up, this study concludes that informing subjects the expectation of experiment does not result in placebo effect.

Key words: working memory training, fluid intelligence, placebo effect

摘要： 工作记忆训练能够提高智力获得了若干研究结果的支持，但同时也有一些研究者质疑智力的提高可能是“安慰剂”作用的结果。本研究对安慰剂效应在工作记忆训练中的作用进行了检验。实验一中采用公开/不公开实验预期的方式招募被试。对两组被试进行单次训练，考察了被试前测、后测作业成绩的变化。实验二在实验一的基础上延长训练时间进一步考察了被试的作业成绩是否受到招募方式或训练次数的影响。结果发现，两组被试在前后测作业成绩上并不存在显著差异；训练次数对被试作业成绩有显著影响。本研究表明招募方式对工作记忆训练结果无显著影响，没有表现出安慰剂效应。

关键词: 工作记忆训练, 流体智力, 安慰剂效应

CLC Number:

B842

ZHANG Xin, SONG Jintao, YING Ronghua, ZHOU Renlai. Is Effectiveness of Working Memory Training the Result of Placebo Effect?[J]. Studies of Psychology and Behavior, 2019, 17(2): 170-177.

张心, 宋锦涛, 应荣华, 周仁来. 工作记忆训练效果是安慰剂作用的结果吗？[J]. 心理与行为研究, 2019, 17(2): 170-177.

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