Efficacy Of Lumosity Essay
Chibuike Obinwa
Dr. Andrew Kelly
Psychology 1102
July 16, 2015
Evaluating Lumosity Using the CRAAP Test Lumosity is what many would refer to as a “brain” game. It focuses on creating several activities designed around increasing the effectiveness with which we use our brain. These activities are ultimately meant to maximize our potential to carry out several cognitive day-to-day activities such as Memory, Attention, Speed, Flexibility, Problem solving…etc. There are several short articles that quickly summarize research studies that have been done to prove the efficacy of these games on pressing topics, like those involving cancer patients.
Currency- A lot of the “Completed Research” [Lumosity.com] are considerably recent studies that mainly …show more content…
fall between the years 2011 and 2014. An example would be a study that showed an “Increased prefrontal cortex activity in cancer survivors following Lumosity training”, which was carried out by Stanford University School of Medicine doctors. This study was carried out in 2011 and by January 17, 2014, it was included on the website as one of the reference research articles. Other research articles, one of which looks into the “effects of Lumosity cognitive training for healthy adults”, can be dated to only 2011. Most of the information and research that has been done to support or reject this website were carried out in the year 2011. I view this as a positive attribute to the website considering that brain game websites like Lumosity originated around the mid-to-late 2000s. Carrying out studies around this same period is an adequate way of evaluating the methods used by the website. I rate this website a 9 on Currency.
Relevance- The idea behind websites such as Lumosity.com, comes down to the fact humans are striving towards bettering several aspects of their cognitive function, like memory. As we get older, it appears that our memory starts to slowly fade. We no longer remember information as well as we used to. Lumosity is relevant, because these games supposedly provide us with the opportunity of remembering more; that is have the opportunity to move information from the Short-term memory to the Long-term memory. Lumosity is applicable to all age groups, and because of this, it can be used in a variety of situations to improve cognitive skills. Not only can it be used by individuals seeking to become better problem-solvers, research shows that it helps improve the math and cognitive skills of girls suffering with Turner Syndrome [Lumosity.com]. I rate this website an 8 on Relevance.
Authority- Browsing through the website, the only names that are given are those of the Co-founder and the Vice President of Research. For each summary article of experiment carried out, the author of the article is not given. However, they do provide a link to the actual article on an accredited research journal website, where the names of the researchers are provided. In a way, the website is not giving the viewers the chance to know exactly who is authoring and editing the webpages related to certain topics. Therefore, I rate this website a 5 on Authority
Accuracy- The claims made by Lumosity on the “Completed Research” webpage appear to be reliable.
Each claim or statement is supported by experiments, although not stated how extensive, that have been carried out by researchers at colleges, such as Stanford University School of Medicine and San Francisco State University. Nevertheless, the language and manner in which the research is presented suggests a hint of bias, because most of the experiments referenced, were not carried out by independent groups. A handful of them were in collaboration with Lumos Lab, the research lab directly run and sponsored by Lumosity. For example, research about the effects of “Lumosity Cognitive Training for adults” involved work by both Lumos Lab and San Francisco State University. Considering the experiments carried out and the bias behind the way it is presented, I will rate this website 6 on …show more content…
Accuracy.
Purpose- The purpose of Lumosity.com is simply to help its users become better at processing and recalling information, problem-solving, multi-tasking, and a number of other important functions that require a great deal of cognitive skill. Users are asked to choose what areas they would like to personally improve on. There is a wide array of options, ranging from “Remembering patterns and locations” to “Dividing your attention between multiple tasks and demands.” The games used are based on research Lumosity believes to be proof and fact that their methods work. However, the point of view does not appear objective. It would be refreshing to see studies carried out that pinpoints the flaws in the strategies used by the website. The first few games are free, but in order to advance, one must pay, which is typical of commercial websites. In terms of the Purpose of this website, I would rate it a 7.
Summary- I am a firm believer of the notion that “practice makes perfect”. Which is why I was excited about the idea of a website that provides users with the opportunity to play games and practice activities that will eventually lead to better memory encoding and recollection, multi-tasking and problem-solving skills. Analyzing and interpreting the data I have gathered from browsing through the site in conjunction with my past experience of using this website, I conclude that it is a fairly effective website. The articles presented are current, the idea behind the website is relevant to the future cognitive function of humans, and the purpose, although primarily about profit, can include bettering humanity. However, the integrity and objectiveness of the website is questioned when the referenced research articles depict the positive effects of the activities and none on the flaws. The overall rating for this website is a 35, which falls under the range of Average.
Examining Scientific Research
An experiment carried out by Thomas S.
Redick and colleagues titled “No Evidence of Intelligence Improvement After Working Memory Training: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study” focused on determining the effectiveness of training games on cognitive function. Skeptical about the research results portrayed by websites like Lumosity.com, Redick et al performed an independent study with “young adults”; a working memory group, who received “20 sessions of practice on an adaptive dual n-back program”, and an active placebo-control group. All the participants were given a series of tests “comprising multiple measures of fluid intelligence, multitasking, working memory capacity…” Results show that although there was an improvement in the “dual n-back and visual search” practice tasks, these improvements did not positively transfer to any of the “cognitive ability tests.” This study somewhat contradicts the articles published by Lumosity claiming an improvement in cognitive ability due to their games. Nevertheless, this is a study amongst countless others out there that could be used to support or disprove the theory presented by Lumosity. As a previous user of this website, the effects the games are meant to have on one’s cognitive function have not manifested in my life, which is why I rate this website as
average.
References
http://www.lumosity.com/hcp/research/completed/using-lumosity-to-study-cognitive-training-interventions-for-cancer-survivors http://www.clinical-breast-cancer.com/article/S1526-8209%2813%2900049-9/pdf http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21714745?dopt=Abstract
http://englelab.gatech.edu/2013/redick-et-al-20132c-wm-training2c-jepg.pdf
Dr. Andrew Kelly
Psychology 1102
July 16, 2015
Evaluating Lumosity Using the CRAAP Test Lumosity is what many would refer to as a “brain” game. It focuses on creating several activities designed around increasing the effectiveness with which we use our brain. These activities are ultimately meant to maximize our potential to carry out several cognitive day-to-day activities such as Memory, Attention, Speed, Flexibility, Problem solving…etc. There are several short articles that quickly summarize research studies that have been done to prove the efficacy of these games on pressing topics, like those involving cancer patients.
Currency- A lot of the “Completed Research” [Lumosity.com] are considerably recent studies that mainly …show more content…
fall between the years 2011 and 2014. An example would be a study that showed an “Increased prefrontal cortex activity in cancer survivors following Lumosity training”, which was carried out by Stanford University School of Medicine doctors. This study was carried out in 2011 and by January 17, 2014, it was included on the website as one of the reference research articles. Other research articles, one of which looks into the “effects of Lumosity cognitive training for healthy adults”, can be dated to only 2011. Most of the information and research that has been done to support or reject this website were carried out in the year 2011. I view this as a positive attribute to the website considering that brain game websites like Lumosity originated around the mid-to-late 2000s. Carrying out studies around this same period is an adequate way of evaluating the methods used by the website. I rate this website a 9 on Currency.
Relevance- The idea behind websites such as Lumosity.com, comes down to the fact humans are striving towards bettering several aspects of their cognitive function, like memory. As we get older, it appears that our memory starts to slowly fade. We no longer remember information as well as we used to. Lumosity is relevant, because these games supposedly provide us with the opportunity of remembering more; that is have the opportunity to move information from the Short-term memory to the Long-term memory. Lumosity is applicable to all age groups, and because of this, it can be used in a variety of situations to improve cognitive skills. Not only can it be used by individuals seeking to become better problem-solvers, research shows that it helps improve the math and cognitive skills of girls suffering with Turner Syndrome [Lumosity.com]. I rate this website an 8 on Relevance.
Authority- Browsing through the website, the only names that are given are those of the Co-founder and the Vice President of Research. For each summary article of experiment carried out, the author of the article is not given. However, they do provide a link to the actual article on an accredited research journal website, where the names of the researchers are provided. In a way, the website is not giving the viewers the chance to know exactly who is authoring and editing the webpages related to certain topics. Therefore, I rate this website a 5 on Authority
Accuracy- The claims made by Lumosity on the “Completed Research” webpage appear to be reliable.
Each claim or statement is supported by experiments, although not stated how extensive, that have been carried out by researchers at colleges, such as Stanford University School of Medicine and San Francisco State University. Nevertheless, the language and manner in which the research is presented suggests a hint of bias, because most of the experiments referenced, were not carried out by independent groups. A handful of them were in collaboration with Lumos Lab, the research lab directly run and sponsored by Lumosity. For example, research about the effects of “Lumosity Cognitive Training for adults” involved work by both Lumos Lab and San Francisco State University. Considering the experiments carried out and the bias behind the way it is presented, I will rate this website 6 on …show more content…
Accuracy.
Purpose- The purpose of Lumosity.com is simply to help its users become better at processing and recalling information, problem-solving, multi-tasking, and a number of other important functions that require a great deal of cognitive skill. Users are asked to choose what areas they would like to personally improve on. There is a wide array of options, ranging from “Remembering patterns and locations” to “Dividing your attention between multiple tasks and demands.” The games used are based on research Lumosity believes to be proof and fact that their methods work. However, the point of view does not appear objective. It would be refreshing to see studies carried out that pinpoints the flaws in the strategies used by the website. The first few games are free, but in order to advance, one must pay, which is typical of commercial websites. In terms of the Purpose of this website, I would rate it a 7.
Summary- I am a firm believer of the notion that “practice makes perfect”. Which is why I was excited about the idea of a website that provides users with the opportunity to play games and practice activities that will eventually lead to better memory encoding and recollection, multi-tasking and problem-solving skills. Analyzing and interpreting the data I have gathered from browsing through the site in conjunction with my past experience of using this website, I conclude that it is a fairly effective website. The articles presented are current, the idea behind the website is relevant to the future cognitive function of humans, and the purpose, although primarily about profit, can include bettering humanity. However, the integrity and objectiveness of the website is questioned when the referenced research articles depict the positive effects of the activities and none on the flaws. The overall rating for this website is a 35, which falls under the range of Average.
Examining Scientific Research
An experiment carried out by Thomas S.
Redick and colleagues titled “No Evidence of Intelligence Improvement After Working Memory Training: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study” focused on determining the effectiveness of training games on cognitive function. Skeptical about the research results portrayed by websites like Lumosity.com, Redick et al performed an independent study with “young adults”; a working memory group, who received “20 sessions of practice on an adaptive dual n-back program”, and an active placebo-control group. All the participants were given a series of tests “comprising multiple measures of fluid intelligence, multitasking, working memory capacity…” Results show that although there was an improvement in the “dual n-back and visual search” practice tasks, these improvements did not positively transfer to any of the “cognitive ability tests.” This study somewhat contradicts the articles published by Lumosity claiming an improvement in cognitive ability due to their games. Nevertheless, this is a study amongst countless others out there that could be used to support or disprove the theory presented by Lumosity. As a previous user of this website, the effects the games are meant to have on one’s cognitive function have not manifested in my life, which is why I rate this website as
average.
References
http://www.lumosity.com/hcp/research/completed/using-lumosity-to-study-cognitive-training-interventions-for-cancer-survivors http://www.clinical-breast-cancer.com/article/S1526-8209%2813%2900049-9/pdf http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21714745?dopt=Abstract
http://englelab.gatech.edu/2013/redick-et-al-20132c-wm-training2c-jepg.pdf