Recent research conducted at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign suggests that varied practice, rather than repetition, may be the key to learning new skills, especially as people age. The study focused on working memory, which is crucial for tasks like reading comprehension, reasoning, and problem-solving. The researchers found that diverse cognitive training led to significant improvements in working memory in older adults. This challenges the common belief that repeated practice is the best way to improve performance.
Lead investigator Elizabeth A. L. Stine-Morrow, a Beckman researcher and professor emerita of educational psychology at Illinois, explained that while diversity in practice has long been recognized within the realm of motor learning, their study demonstrated that this principle also applies to the development of mental skills. The study involved 90 participants aged 60-87 from the Champaign-Urbana area. Working memory was assessed using a reading span task at the beginning and end of the study, with participants who engaged in varied cognitive training showing the most improvement.
The participants in the study engaged in four weeks of cognitive training, with some practicing on a single working memory task, while others practiced on a variety of tasks. The group that engaged in multiple working memory activities showed the most improvement overall. The concept that varied practice can lead to better learning, even if it doesn’t immediately result in improved performance, aligns with the principle of mutual growth among closely related abilities. This suggests that diverse training regimens can have long-lasting benefits on cognitive abilities later in life.
The researchers believe that these findings could have broad implications for cognitive training and skill development in various areas. They hope to further explore the concept of mutualism and its effects on different types of skills. The study was conducted remotely due to limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with participants using their home computers and iPads provided by the research team to complete the activities. The participants found the activities challenging but enjoyable, treating them like a game they wanted to win.
The study highlights the importance of diverse practice in enhancing cognitive skills, particularly working memory, which tends to decline with age. By incorporating a variety of tasks and activities into training regimens, individuals can potentially improve their ability to learn new skills and maintain mental sharpness over time. These findings challenge the traditional notion of repeated practice as the best way to improve performance, demonstrating that a mixed practice approach may yield greater benefits in the long run.