Publication in Journal of Political Economy
A paper by Henning Hermes, Eva M. Berger, Daniel Schunk, Kirsten Winkel titled "The Impact of Working Memory Training on Children’s Cognitive and Noncognitive Skills" is published in Journal of Political Economy.
Abstract
Working memory (WM) capacity is a key component of a wide range of cognitive and noncognitive skills, such as fluid IQ, math, reading, or inhibitory control - but can WM traning improve these skills? Here, we examine the casual impact of WM training embedded in regular school teaching based on a randomized educational intervention with 6-7 y old children. We find substantial fains in WM capacity, and document positive spillover effects on geometry, fluid IQ, and inhibitory control. Three years later, treated children are 16 percentage points more likely to enter an advanced secondary school track.