Giovanni Sala|Fernand Gobet
Does Far Transfer Exist? Negative Evidence From Chess, Music, and Working Memory Training
University of Liverpool|University of Liverpool
chess masters expert musicians appear average intelligent general population researchers thus claimed playing chess learning music enhances childrens cognitive abilities academic attainment present two metaanalyses assessing effect chess music instruction childrens cognitive academic skills third metaanalysis evaluated effects working memory traininga cognitive skill correlated music chess expertiseon variables results show small moderate effects however effect sizes inversely related quality experimental design eg presence active control groups pattern results casts serious doubts effectiveness chess music working memory training discuss theoretical practical implications findings extend debate types training spatial training brain training video games conclude far transfer learning rarely occurs