Which statement best describes the results of research on the effectiveness of brain training games?

• A. Research shows that brain training games have no effect on any aspect of cognitive performance.
• B. Brain training games generally improve performance on the specific tasks practiced, but there is limited evidence that these improvements transfer to overall cognitive functioning.
• C. Brain training games are proven to cure cognitive disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
• D. Brain training games consistently lead to significant and lasting improvements in general intelligence across all age groups.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the key concept of brain training games, which are designed to improve cognitive functions through repeated practice of specific tasks.
2. Step 2: Recognize that research typically measures two types of effects: improvements on the trained tasks themselves (near transfer) and improvements on broader cognitive abilities not directly trained (far transfer).
3. Step 3: Review empirical findings that show brain training games often lead to better performance on the exact tasks practiced, indicating near transfer effects.
4. Step 4: Note that evidence for far transfer effects—improvements in overall cognitive functioning or general intelligence—is limited or inconsistent according to current research.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the most accurate summary is that brain training games improve performance on practiced tasks but do not reliably enhance general cognitive abilities or cure cognitive disorders.