multiple mentalism

[Denunfo]

Hello! I´ve been training my working memory for the past six months
and I really love doing it. I am currently training dual-n-back and
quad-combination-variable-n-back daily (about 25 minutes each) . I
like this combination because I feel dnb gives "lenght" and QCVNB
gives "width" to my working memory; DNB is "brute force" and QCVNB
makes me use that brute force in a more complex way (in my opinion,
QCVNB is the ultimate training mode)... I´ve also found the PASAT test
in cognitivefun quite stimulating. I wish it could be implemented in
future versions of Brainworkshop. I feel "DNB training" is VERY
effective. I'm a student and I find myself understanding pretty
complex things very easily and my problem solving has boosted for
instance.

I want to share a breakthrough I had today in my training. I remeber
reading in this group about somebody that, inspired by Harry Kahne's
work, trained some variation of DNB (I guess it was QCNB) while saying
alphabet backwards. I was completeley shocked and didn't even tried to
do that myself. However, I tried today (with DNB and the PASAT) and
the result was great. It was quite difficult at first but after a few
minutes, my retentive was very efficient. I guess the reason for this
is that saying the alphabet backwards (or even saying it normally, the
point is to say something continously that is not related with the
principal task) neutralizes subvocalizing information (for example
when I did the sums in the PASAT before this experiment or the letters
of DNB) which in turn boosts information processing speed, focus and
retentive (at least in my case). Saying the alphabet helped me to
"naturally" focus and increase my "mental confidence" while training
(in the sense that information was forced to be absorbed very quickly
and with no "reviews"). I find it interesting that it is similar to
what happened when I learned to speed read; once subvocalizing got out
of the way, things flowed nicely.

I really recommend you to experiment this approach. Thanks for reading.

[brain train]

Thanks for sharing your experience and learnings!

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[Brandon Woodson]

I briefly (and loosely) implemented Harry Kahne's course into my
training and, as you mentioned, it does seem to be really effective.
As a matter of fact, when I first attempted to do the alphabet
exercises, I could literally see day-to-day improvements (no irony
intended :)). In an effort to maximize the utility of my waking time,
I would sometimes brain-train while at work. I used 'car-radio, talk-
show n-back' as a rough substitute for a auditory sequential
processing exercise (single n-back, digit span exercises, etc.) while,
simultaneously, visually reciting the alphabet (in reverse order,
'broken thirds', reverse 'broken thirds', etc.). As I mentioned, the
progress was almost daily as the exercise was so much easier within a
day or so. I am now experimenting with extending the CRTS time-back
recitation loop (analogous to increasing n-back level) and performing
mental arithmetic simultaneously. I believe that brain training would
benefit from more studies that confirm the effectiveness of more
working memory exercises. More positive results would in-turn allow
the brain-training community to diversify its training regime and
possibly accelerate its rate of progress without fear of exclusively
training domain-specific functions. In short, I second that
recommendation! :) Good luck!

[UOchris1]

It is uplifting to read that others have benefited from Harry Kahne's
exercises.  It was one of the more effective things for mental clarity
and focus that I had implemented in my brain training program when
preparing for the MCAT.  I was using a variation of the Kahne
exercises and a reading span task.   As reading comprehension is the
hardest thing to 'study for', I'd say my results were pretty good and
my reading comp score increased significantly over the course of a few
months.   I regret not continuing with the exercises, but it seems as
though I can hardly find the time anymore.  As a side, I was also
doing regular dual n-back alone or sometimes quad n-back while
reciting the alphabet backwards during the same period, while of
course doing just plain ol' practice with the reading passages.  So it
is impossible to pinpoint exactly what part of my training was most
beneficial; however, my intuition is that everything was.   This is
inline with my general philosophy about intelligence training that no
one training program will be sufficient to train gf, some programs
will be more effective than others, and some will be more specific and
hence be able to isolate certain areas of intelligence that should be
improved upon.

Kahne's exercises were very heavy on executive control of attention.
To incorporate some of what I liked about with the Kahne exercises
into BW, I have a guy programming stroop exercises into brainworkshop
with the added feature of response time feedback (to help with
improving processing time). Also, I am having added in a cue adds the
element of task switching, and further there will be key presses
corresponding to the colors (ROYGBP) to add in more interference---
hopefully the programmer I've hired pulls it off! All is speculative,
but there is good reason to believe that an n-level increase in this
training environment will have a good chance of increasing some
important aspects of gf.  One reason for this is that task-switching
is an important component of executive control, which most would agree
is important to gf:


"Results of this study suggest that task-switching training is an
effective cognitive intervention that helps to enhance executive
control functioning in children with ADHD" (http://www.frontiersin.org/
human_neuroscience/10.3389/fnhum.2011.00180/abstract)


Google task-switching.  Its pretty interesting.


Cheers!

[Brandon Woodson]

Hi UOchris1,

I read the email you sent and like your principle on intelligence
training--I think we may share a similar philosophy regarding how to
train fluid intelligence. I would like to add to the discussion that I
believe that measurable improvements in testable gf could be classed
into at least two distinct groups: a.) universal improvements; and b.)
superficial improvements. I would define the former as global
improvement which underlie improvement of mechanisms commonly used
during most strenuous mental tasks (e.g. improvements stemming from
improved working memory capacity, executive functions, etc.). On the
other hand, superficial improvements are domain-specific improvements
and would NOT underlie improvements in the mechanisms common to most
mental tasks. Superficial improvements could explain such phenomenon
as the practice effect and are an important element in I.Q. testing
since they are often indistinguishable from universal improvements for
testing purposes. While the emphasis of culture-fair (not culture-
free!) tests is geared toward fluid intelligence, all I.Q. tests
(culture-fair or otherwise) require the use of both crystallized and
fluid intelligence. To summarize, any improvement, universal or
superficial, would increase gf since 'g', itself, is an
intercorrelation factor; and, if any of the separate tasks,
themselves, constituted the entirety of 'g', there would be no reason
for a battery of different tasks since the results of at least one, if
not more, of the tasks would serve as an sufficiently equivocal
representation of 'gf' (or g). For this reason, I would guess that
many separate tasks, by themselves, can improve gf and, as you
mentioned, some will be more effective than others (especially if it
brings both types of improvement).

Likewise, the latest focus of my own training has been executive
function improvement. I only recently started meditating and can say
it has been a rather humbling experience :). I think a stroop-exercise
variant of the n-back task would be an exciting and effective new
exercise. I will probably be first in line--or second :)--to test it
out. I find that lately I have become a something of mental-
stimulation junkie, constantly searching for novel exercises to bring
the same mental burn that I experienced during my first brain training
sessions. Also, I will, by the way, look into task-switching. I'm
always looking to brush up on this subject, and hopefully, new
findings will bring a bigger picture into perspective. Thanks for the
tip!

[UOchris1]

Its seems that we are on the same page.   A little more of my
perspective...




One of the biggest obstacles to obtaining results from cognitive
training is either not having faith in the techniques and/or not
thinking intelligence (what presumably we are training for) is
important.  I have been fortunate to have been always working from the
principle that intelligence can be improved through training within
reasonable limits.  Also,  I have,  for a very long time, believed
that whatever 'intelligence' was, that I wanted it--it just isn't
enticing to put in more work for less.   If knowledge is at all like a
yield of crops from work put in, brain training is like putting aside
the plow to work on the tractor.




With that said, I have tried many things to improve my overall
cognitive abilities (so far as even buying an EEG) and I pretty much
place things in range of categories from helping in specific domains
to helping everywhere.  The best domain specific things I have done
were 'mental math' ("mathemagics" by Arthur Benjamin) and Harry
Lorayne's and Dr. Kenneth Higbee's memory systems.  Eventually
practice with the memory systems has also increased my creativeness
and spontaneity because of free associations I can make more quickly
these days.   So then, Meditation, Harry Kahne, Stroop, Flanker test,
DNB have been the best for global improvement, in that in my day to
day life there are many times when I notice the training affecting my
clarity and ability to focus.   At the very least, it is obvious to me
that my mental stamina has increased.   Never gave the EEG a fair
shot--I need better software.




Lastly, Ill post a link to BW once the changes have been implemented
(and of course giving it over to Paul and Tommin for consideration as
part for the next major release).   The programmer was making some
progress but hit some road blocks.


Cheers!


UO

[glixcolic]

for those who have tried kahne's course, can you please share your experiences?

I'd like to know for instance when should you move on to the next exercise
since there's no way to test myself with a repeatable task to track my progress.

@UO, excellent idea! now i am stuck at exercise 3 and trying to find a way to integrate the drill
into my daily routine without having to find paper and pen. a program would do the job well
but  the act of writing down is quite different from typing or tapping so having a very customizable
tool to experiment would be a very excellent idea!

[UOchris1]

Instead of picking a list of words entirely at random considering
using the peg list: http://www.rememberg.com/Peg-list-1000/

In that way if you decide to learn the memory system you already have
a component down cold.

I had always felt that once I had done (written and spelled) a couple
of chosen words enough times, I was no longer challenging my brain.
For instance, reciting the alphabet backwards became wrote memory and
it wasn't challenging like it was when I at first had to visualize the
letters. This is a benefit of Brainworkshop; the stimuli are always
changing and random, so advancing a level in BW is more likely to
train the underlying process than allow one to memorize a string of
random letters. To fix this problem and give my self parameters for
improvement and achievable goals that would allow me to track my
progress, I made a few modifications to the Kahne exercises. They
seemed to work, but keep in mind I wasn't entirely a Kahne purist and
I cannot say for sure I didn't miss out on some important component of
his method; however, I do feel that I was capturing an important
component of the cognitive processes underlying his techniques and
found a way to isolate only those.

Anyhow, I used a college ruled notebook and pen. A blank sheet of
paper. Stopwatch (on my phone or computer).
I started with two three-letter words. I'd write them on the top of
the page for reference later. Then I'd take the white sheet and cover
any previous writing from the top, which would exposed only the very
next blank line from top of the paper. Then I'd start the watch and
get through line as quickly as possible spelling one word backward
while simultaneously writing the other. Id mark my time at the end
of the line. Let say it took me 2 mins the first time. I'd set some
reasonable goal, like I'm not moving on to another two other words
until I have repeated this line without errors 2x in a row with a time
of under 1 minute for each line. When I'd reach that goal, I'd pick
two new words at random. The good thing is you'll have tons of
feedback about your progress and it is also fun to beat your previous
scores each trial.

The ultimate goal is to advance to longer and/or more words. I'd
advance when my two of my initial trial speeds given a new set of
words had reached some reasonable time that I had. When I reached it,
Id graduate yourself by adding another three-letter word for a total 3
three-letter words each trial (spell one out loud and alternate the
other) or add in a four-letter word for a total of one three letter
word and one four letter word---in fact, I liked having different
lengthed words because it kept me memorizing specific pairings (i.e.,
HAT & PIE where it is always E-T, I-A, P-H. If you choose HAT & WORK
then it goes like K-T, R-A, O-H, W-T, K-A, R-H).

Thus are my experiences. Hope it helps.

Cheers!

Chris


I used to think
I wouldn't pick entirely words at random. If you haven't already

[glixcolic]

thank you. seems like it might help. i am aware of mnemonic systems but procrastination has always gotten the better of me. Perhaps your suggestion will work, killing a few birds with one stone :) 

yes the fact that brainworkshop generate random stimuli allow you to focus on the task of memorizing. I thought of using a program to to generate random words but i assumed that kahne may have a point in having you do it(training your ability to come up with potential concepts for  permutation faster). i am not so sure yet whether it is helping.

i like how you do it with the book and pen! that's very similar to how i learn mandarin. very effective! i usually learn on average about 20+ words a day with good retention. maybe lack of belief that kahne method work is what's stopping me from trying it here.