Draganski (2004)

• Aim


  Study neuroplasticity - how repeated action can lead to the growth of neural networks.
• Participants


  24 volunteers, age 20-24, 21 females and 3 males
• Research method 


  Field experiment as they practised juggling in their own environments.
• Experimental group


  Jugglers - participants were tasked with learning how to juggle (three ball cascade routine). They had to tell the researchers once they had mastered it.
• Control group


  Non-jugglers - they did not do anything.
• MRI scanning


  MRI scans were conducted before and after learning how to juggle (experimental group) to see if there were significant physical differences in brain structure. They used voxel-based morphometry to measure neural density (grey matter).
• Results

  Jugglers showed a significantly larger amount of grey matter in the mid-temporal area that is associated with visual memory. Once the participants stopped juggling for three months, this grey matter decreased.
• Results


  Juggling relies on visual memory. Learning how to juggle increased neural activity and networks but once stopped, the neural networks were eliminated.
• Cause-effect established


  Learning a new skill -> increase neural activity/network
• Limitations


  Sample size was very small, may have problems with internal validity (since it was a field experiment), subjectively "mastering" juggling.
• Strengths


  Pre-test/post-test to measure change, cause-effect established, juggling is a unique skill (not many people will have experience with it).