Effects of Logical Verbal Training on Abstract Reasoning: Evidence from a Pilot Study

Cognitive enhancement refers to any type of improvement in cognitive performance following structured interventions. Research evidence demonstrates the effectiveness of specific programs to improve cognitive abilities, such as logical reasoning, deployment of attentional resources, working memory, and metacognitive strategies such as self-monitoring, modelling, and peer-tutoring. In recent years, many studies have evaluated the effects of various cognitive enhancement programs to enhance these functions. This paper aims to investigate the value of the Logical Intelligence Enhancement Program (LISP; Calvani et al, 2017) in providing primary school students with effective strategies for the improvement of high cognitive skills related to issues of a logical nature and problem solving. For the study, two fourth-grade classes of an ordinary Italian primary school were involved in an experimental investigation. The results clearly confirm that the program has potential to empower learners to develop cognitive abilities / logical reasoning. Although needing further substantiation, the findings from this study may be useful for both educational and scientific purposes.