http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2354-5439
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ABSTRACT
Previous research suggests that training relational operant responding using the SMART (Strengthening Mental Abilities with Relational Training) program over several months can result in improved performance on cognitive intelligence tests. This study aimed to investigate whether engaging in a 3-week relational training program would improve (i) scores and (ii) reaction times on a standardised intelligence test, and (iii) to pilot a new multiple exemplar training procedure targeting complex analogical operant responding (SMARTA; SMART for Analogy). We administered the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT-2) to eight adults across four time points. Control: Time 1–4: No intervention. Experimental: Time 1–2: No intervention. Time 2–3: SMART relational operant training. Time 3–4: SMARTA analogical relational operant training. Experimental participants demonstrated greater improvements in terms of both (i) response latencies and (ii) response fluencies on the Verbal Knowledge subscale of the KBIT-2.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr Bryan Roche for allowing us access to his training software for this research.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Ethical Statement
Ethical approval for this research was granted by the University of Chichester Research Ethics Committee and all participants were informed that data collected would be kept completely confidential, used for statistical analysis only, and storage and disposal of these data was in accordance with the Data Protection Act and the University of Chichester Quality Assurance procedures. These procedures are congruent with the guidelines laid down by the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki.