Can the interference effect in multiplication fact retrieval be modulated by an arithmetic training? An fMRI study.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Educational Psychology
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Multiplication fact retrieval is influenced by interference from similar problems.
• Individual differences in sensitivity to interference (STI) correlate with arithmetic skills.
• Neuroimaging studies link arithmetic performance to brain regions like the supramarginal gyrus (SMG).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if multiplication facts training can modulate competence-related differences in STI.
• To examine the neurophysiological correlates of STI before and after training.
• To assess the effectiveness of drill-based training in resolving interference effects.

Main Methods:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to study brain activity.
• 23 adults with low and 23 with high arithmetic competencies participated.
• A five-day multiplication facts training program focused on low- and high-interfering problems.

Main Results:

• Behavioral data showed a reduced but unresolved interference effect in the low competence group post-training.
• fMRI revealed competence-related differences in the left SMG's response to interference.
• Training did not fully resolve interference effects, suggesting persistent issues in memory representations.

Conclusions:

• Low arithmetic skills may stem from insufficient memory representations due to STI.
• Short-term, drill-based training is insufficient to overcome established interference effects.
• Further research is needed to develop more effective interventions for arithmetic difficulties.