Scientific Theories Behind Brain Training

BrainApps is built around cognitive exercises inspired by scientific research on how the brain processes information, stores memories, focuses attention and solves problems.

This section explains key cognitive theories and experimental tasks that shaped modern brain training. Explore how these ideas relate to memory, attention, reasoning, mental flexibility and everyday cognitive performance.

Schulte Tables

Schulte table - а table with randomly placed objects (usually numbers or letters) that are essential for testing and development quickness of search objects in a certain order. Exercises with tables can improve peripheral vision, which is important, for example, to improve speed reading skill.

N-back task

The well-known problem of continuous runtime (syn. Continuous performance task), developed by psychologist VK Kirchner in 1958. Used in neurophysiological studies to stimulate the activity of certain areas of the brain, as well as for psychological assessment and development work memory, logic thinking, the ability to focus and concentration generally movable intelligence.

Memory Matrix

The theory has its origins from the visual-spatial test Corsi (Full name: Corsi block-tapping test). This test has its origin in 1970. The first version was a wooden test cubes which are arranged in a matrix. The experimenter pointed out the blocks in sequence, and the subject had to repeat it exactly. Task Corsi has undergone many modifications and BrainApps users can try to imagine its electronic implementation.

Traveling salesman problem(TSP)

Traveling salesman problem (TSP) - One of the most famous combinatorial optimization problems. Examinee person should consistently bypass the houses on the most optimal route memorizing it and find gold coins.

Memory span

Memory span is called the longest list of objects or concepts that people can correctly repeat the sequence in which they were granted.

Flanker task

Flanker task - A technique of research of visual attention in which you need to quickly find the target object. The technique used to study the spatial characteristics, such as coverage of the visual attention and spatial interference in information processing.

Stroop effect

In psychology, the "Stroop effect" is called delay reaction when reading words, when the word color is not the same as the written words (for example, the word "red" written in blue).

Visual search

Visual Search - method of perception associated with attention functions are carried out in which the active visual environment testing processes for the presence of certain signs and objects. Visual search is carried out, if the search object is out of the visual field, or it is not recognized, because it is located not in the center of visual attention, or distracting objects are present.

Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

Wechsler test

Wundt technique

Corsi block task

Eysenck test

Trail Making Test

Culture Fair Intelligence Test by R.Cattell

Raven’s Progressive Matrices

Stanford-Binet test

Intellectual potential test

Amthauer’s intelligence structure test

Gottshaldt figures

Kohs Block Design Test

Why cognitive science matters for brain training

Effective cognitive training starts with understanding how mental skills work. Memory, attention, processing speed and reasoning are not isolated abilities — they interact every day when we learn, work, make decisions and adapt to new information.

BrainApps uses this scientific foundation to turn cognitive tasks into clear, engaging exercises that help users practice important mental skills in a simple and accessible way.

Explore BrainApps science