Study suggests that the “brain training” industry may be a placebo

Re:Study suggests that the “brain training” industry may be ... by reitanqild on Tuesday June 21, 2016 @02:49AM (#11943937)

> The fact that you can improve your performance on an IQ test is not disproven

You and others here seem to think I'm out to:

* disprove that IQ scores can be trained

* say something about or recommend Mensa (not a member, don't know if I would qualify, never took the official test)

while I only wanted to offer a counterpoint to the IQ-measurement-is-more-or-less-worthless school of thought.

> Anyone can improve their running performance through training. Not everyone can be a world class marathon runner.

Same goes for cognitive skills. I think this sums it up: there are significant differences in both physical and mental capabilities.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Study suggests that the “brain training” industry may be ... by jacalata on Tuesday June 21, 2016 @03:47PM (#11948876)

I have no opinion on what you were "out to" do, I was responding to your comment which seemed to be expressing disbelief in the idea that IQ tests can be trained for ("I hear this repeated a lot...I guess if that was true Mensa would have a lot more members")

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Study suggests that the “brain training” industry may be ... by reitanqild on Tuesday June 21, 2016 @04:23PM (#11949113)

Thanks for a good answer. Sorry to have been unclear.

My point was that to me it seems clear that IQ tests do measure something outside of previous exposure or training.

IIRC most people will not manage to get 125 (just a number) on a well-designed test even if they are allowed to prepare with the exact same type of questions or even get trained for them.

[ Parent | on HN ]