Part of this is because you can create temporary "boosts" in certain domains with certain repetitive training activities.
So, if you focus cognitive training in certain areas, you achieve a boost in the performance of certain activities in a certain amount of time.
This also works with SWAT-type military training. If you keep the training up, you become more effective at taking out targets. Remove the training and the skill ebbs back to a baseline.
In addition, it works with waitresses. They will be very good at working memory with respect to multiple lists for multiple customers.
I personally want to investigate IQ changes in people who have so-called Near Death Experiences, which is, at the very least, a very interesting cognitive event.
There are also certain skills that seem to be innate. For example, some people have extremely good memories. It's automatic.
There are lots of interesting automatic abilities out there that don't seem to relate to training.
