Cognitive Training: Targeting Cognitive Processes in the Development of Behavioral Interventions

Abstract

The articles in this series relate to research on the modification of cognitive processes thought to be causally related to behavioral or emotional problems. The examination of the effects of targeted cognitive interventions on specific cognitive processes and of the relationship of the modification of these processes to clinical outcome provides insight into mechanisms of behavior change. In contrast to intervention development research involving clinical trials that focus on efficacy testing without examining an intervention’s mechanism of action, the intervention development research presented here is grounded in the examination of mechanism and can inform behavior change science regardless of whether or not an intervention exerts the hypothesized effect on clinical outcome. The potential for the utility of cognitive training interventions as clinical tools is discussed. Also highlighted is the potential for a mechanism-focused approach to serve as one model for progressive integrated basic science and clinical intervention development research.