This video documents a 30-day personal challenge to increase IQ, specifically focusing on working memory, by using a cognitive training game called Dual N-Back. The central question is whether dedicated practice on this specific game can lead to measurable improvements in broader cognitive abilities.
The Experiment and Methodology
The experiment begins with a brief history of IQ testing, from Alfred Binet’s early work to the modern WAIS-IV test. The narrator decides to target the working memory component of intelligence. The plan is structured as follows:
- Baseline Testing: Initial scores are recorded using online tests for number memory, verbal memory, and visual memory on humanbenchmark.com.
- Training Regimen: For 30 days, the narrator commits to 30 minutes of daily training with Dual N-Back, a game that requires remembering a sequence of positions and sounds from ‘N’ turns ago.
- Final Testing: After the 30-day period, the initial benchmark tests are retaken to measure any changes in performance.
The Training Process and Key Insights
The narrator documents his progress and challenges throughout the 30 days. Initially struggling, he has a strategic breakthrough around day seven, learning to “chunk” information in groups rather than constantly reorganizing the entire sequence in his mind. This new strategy allows him to progress significantly, moving from Dual 3-Back to eventually reaching the very difficult Dual 6-Back level. He notes that while his performance in the game itself improved dramatically, the core question remained whether this specific skill would transfer to other cognitive tasks.
Results and Conclusion
After 30 days, the re-test results were underwhelming. There was almost no improvement in the number memory test and only a slight, inconclusive improvement in the verbal and visual memory tests. The narrator concludes that the Dual N-Back training did not have a significant effect on his general working memory or intelligence within the 30-day timeframe. He suggests that other activities, such as learning a language or playing chess, might offer similar working memory training in a more practical context. While the experiment did not yield the desired cognitive boost, it served as a valuable learning experience in self-improvement and skill development.
Mentoring question
When you embark on learning a new skill, how do you distinguish between getting better at the training exercise itself versus developing a transferable, real-world ability?
Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=iBW7ubNMWr4&si=0iEPKrIO5VPTs9zx
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