Monday, June 22nd 2026
Working memory, concentration and ability to process information can be developed with regular mental exercise, researchers say
The connection between intelligence and working memory has attracted the attention of scientists, psychologists and neurologists for decades. It was once believed that intelligence was largely innate and almost unchangeable, but newer research is increasingly questioning this belief.
Today, many researchers think that some cognitive skills can be developed even in adulthood, especially through targeted exercises for working memory.
New findings show that mental exercises not only affect short-term memory, but can also improve problem-solving skills, concentration and mental efficiency.
Experts explain that working memory is not just passive storage of information. It is a cognitive system that temporarily stores and actively processes data in real time.
It is precisely this ability that helps us learn, plan, make decisions and solve complex tasks, but also everyday situations.
Working memory capacity is particularly related to fluid intelligence, that is, the ability to adapt to new situations and solve problems without relying only on the experience of previous.
On the other hand, crystallized intelligence relies on the knowledge and experience gained during life. Both are important, but scientists are increasingly studying the possibility that fluid intelligence can be developed through brain training.
For a long time it was thought that fluid intelligence is largely inherited and that it cannot change much during life.
“Fluid intelligence is often considered very heritable, so many people think that it is immutable. Our goal was to show that this is not necessarily true,” explained Dr. John Jonides, one of the authors of an important study in this field.
The research of psychologists John Jonides, Susanne Jaeggi and Martin Buschkuehl aroused great interest in the scientific community. Their study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that systematic working memory training can also improve skills related to fluid intelligence.
Participants in the study performed an exercise called “n-back,” where they had to follow a string of stimuli and distinguish whether the current stimulus matched the one that had appeared a few steps earlier.
The results showed that people who practiced longer and more intensively achieved greater improvements in intelligence tests.
“The idea was to show that improving basic mental skills, such as working memory, can also lead to better results in more complex tasks, such as problem solving,” explained dr. Susanne Jaeggi.
Scientists say that the effect of these exercises is related to neuroplasticity, i.e. the ability of the brain to adapt and create new neural connections during life.
According to dr. Jonides, after training some areas of the brain spent less energy and required less blood flow during task solving, which indicates greater brain efficiency.
Working memory training does not only strengthen the ability to remember information. It can also improve attention control, concentration and management of mental resources.
Simple exercises that can help
Although much cognitive training is done through computer programs, experts say there are also simple exercises that can be done at home.
One of them involves using a pack of cards. The cards are shuffled and turned over one by one, while some “signal” cards are assigned in advance, for example checkers and tens. When one of these cards appears, the person must remember which card was two positions earlier.
When the exercise becomes easier, the task can be made more difficult by requiring the memory of the card that appeared three or four steps earlier. These activities promote working memory, concentration and attention control.
Experts stress that brain training is not a “magic solution”, but regular mental stimulation can help maintain mental agility and slow cognitive decline.
Just as physical activity is important for the body, mental activity is important for the brain. Therefore, daily learning, solving mental tasks and keeping the mind active remain important throughout life.
Source: prizrenpost
