Variations in sample motivation have contributed to inconsistent outcomes for the efficacy of computerised working memory training interventions. One potential contributor to motivational variance is the participants’ capacity to respond to the demands of experimental tasks – their cognitive ability. To explore whether cognitive ability is related to intrinsic motivation in a working memory task commonly used in working memory training protocols, undergraduate students (N = 113) completed a single session of the adaptive N-back task and a Go/no-go type control task. The range in achievement on the N-back (M = 3.72, SD = 0.80) and on the Go/no-go task (M = 86 %, SD = 8%) allowed for an examination of ability driven differences in motivation. Participants reported the challenging but achievable Go/no-go task as more intrinsically motivating than the N-back task, and higher ability was associated with greater intrinsic motivation and use of more effort during both tasks. The results of this cross-sectional study suggest that equal motivation should not be assumed between groups engaging in tasks of varying complexity, nor between participants of varying cognitive ability.

样本动机的变化导致计算机化工作记忆训练干预效果的结果不一致。动机差异的一个潜在因素是参与者响应实验任务要求的能力——他们的认知能力。为了探索认知能力是否与工作记忆训练协议中常用的工作记忆任务中的内在动机相关，本科生 ( N = 113) 完成了单次自适应 N-back 任务和 Go/no-go 类型控制任务。N-back ( M = 3.72, SD = 0.80) 和 Go/no-go 任务 ( M = 86 %, SD )的成就范围= 8%) 允许检查能力驱动的动机差异。参与者报告说，具有挑战性但可实现的 Go/no-go 任务比 N-back 任务更具有内在动机，更高的能力与更大的内在动机和在这两项任务中使用更多努力有关。这项横断面研究的结果表明，不应假设从事不同复杂性任务的群体之间或认知能力不同的参与者之间具有相同的动机。