@misc{BaltesSowarkaKliegl1989,
  author    = {Baltes, Paul B. and Sowarka, Doris and Kliegl, Reinhold},
  title     = {Cognitive training research on fluid intelligence in old age : what can older adults achieve by themselves?},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-40297},
  year      = {1989},
  abstract  = {Cognitive research on the plasticity of fluid intelligence has demonstrated that older adults benefit markedly from guided practice in cognitive skills and problem-solving strategies. We examined to what degree older adults are capable by themselves of achieving similar practice gains, focusing on the fluid ability of figural relations. A sample of 72 healthy older adults was assigned randomly to three conditions: control, tutor-guided training, self-guided training. Training time and training materials were held constant for the two training conditions. Posttraining performances were analyzed using a transfer of training paradigm in terms of three indicators: correct responses, accuracy, and level of item difficulty. The training programs were effective and produced a significant but narrow band of within-ability transfer. However, there was no difference between the two training groups. Older adults were shown to be capable of producing gains by themselves that were comparable to those obtained following tutor-guided training in the nature of test-relevant cognitive skills.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{KlieglSmithBaltes1989,
  author    = {Kliegl, Reinhold and Smith, Jacqui and Baltes, Paul B.},
  title     = {Testing-the-limits and the study of adult age differences in cognitive plasticity of a mnemonic skill},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-40311},
  year      = {1989},
  abstract  = {Investigated the range and limits of cognitive reserve capacity as a general approach to the understanding of age differences in cognitive functioning. Testing-the-limits is proposed as a research strategy, Data are reported from 2 training studies involving old (65 to 83 years old) and young adults (19 to 29 years old). The training, designed to engineer an expertise in serial word recall, involved instruction and practice in the Method of Loci. Substantial plasticity was evident in pretest to posttest comparisons. Participants raised their serial word recall several times above that of pretest baseline. Age-differential limits in reserve capacity were evident in amount of training gain but not in responses to conditions of increased test difficulty (speeded stimulus presentation). Group differences were magnified by the training to such a degree that age distributions barely overlapped at posttests. Testing-the-limits offers promise in terms of understanding the extent and nature of cognitive plasticity.},
  language  = {en}
}