Welcome to the Inaugural lecture of Professor Claudia von Bastian!
Professor Claudia von Bastian joined the School of Psychology at the University of Sheffield in 2017 and she has been promoted to Professor in January 2025.
TITLE: Beyond Capacity: Understanding Experience-Based Change in Cognitive Abilities
Abstract: Can cognitive abilities be improved through interventions like computer-based working memory training or video gaming? After more than 20 years of cognitive training research, this question is still highly controversial. Typically, interventions targeting the enhancement of cognitive performance have led to large improvements in performance in the trained tasks, but the evidence as to whether, and to what extent, these benefits may transfer to untrained stimuli and paradigms is mixed. In this talk, I will introduce the capacity-efficiency model of cognitive training and transfer, alongside empirical findings from our lab, as a framework for better understanding these mixed findings, focusing on the mechanisms underpinning experience-based cognitive change. I will argue that, at least in healthy adults, there is little evidence that cognitive training interventions can increase the overall cognitive capacity available. Instead, such interventions may enhance the efficiency with which people use their existing capacity. However, as yet, cognitive efficiency has received little attention. I will conclude that identifying mechanisms and individual differences in cognitive efficiency is critical for developing effective interventions and advancing our understanding of cognitive abilities.
Join us at The Diamond, Lecture Theatre 5, and afterwards for light refreshments by registering for a ticket using the "Reserve a spot" button on the right hand side of your screen. The lecture will start at 5.30pm prompt.
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Any problems, please contact i.badini.confalonieri@sheffield.ac.uk
