Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS)

Background

The Dimensional Card Change Card Sort (DCCS) was developed by Philip David Zelazo in 2006 as a much simplified variation of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) appropriate for use with chidren. The Standard version is suitable for children ages 2.5 to 5, and the Advanced for children agest 5 to 7. The DCCS reduces the number of sorting dimentions to 2 (shape, color) rather than 3 (shape, color, quantity) in the WCST, and each dimension has only 2 rather than 4 categories (bunny or boat and red or blue). Rather than having to discover the sorting rule, respondents are explicitly instructed how to sort each card.

Task Procedure

The participant is presented cards drawn one at a time from a deck of 14 cards, half of which depict a red rabbit and half a blue boat. Two sorting bins are displayed, one showing a blue rabbit and the other showing a red boat.

Shapes - bunny, boat Colors - red, blue

In the Standard DCCS, the respondent is instructed to sort the first 7 cards into the bin that matches color. The rule then changes, and the respondent is instructed to sort by shape on the remaining 7 trials. In the Advanced DCCS, respondents are instructed by an audio cue ("shape" or "color") on each trial indicating how to sort the particular card. After each sort, a feedback message indicates whether the sort was correct or incorrect.

The Advanced version is meant to be given after the Standard version only if the respondent passes the latter.

What it Measures

The DCCS is a general assessment of executive functioning in children.

Psychological domains

• Executive Functioning
• Cognitive Flexibility: Shift to a new rule
• Perseveration: Failure to shift to a new rule despite instructions and error feedback

Main Performance Metrics

Standard Version

• Correct Responses Pre-switch: 80% or higher is considered passing
• Correct Responses Post-switch: 80% or higher is considered passing
• DCCS Score: 0, 1, or 2 depending on whether they passed the pre- and post-switch blocks

Advanced Version

• Correct Responses: 75% or higher is considered passing
• DCCS Score: 0, 1, 2, or 3 by adding 1 to the Standard DCCS score if they pass the Advanced version

Psychiatric Conditions

DCCS Performance tends to be impaired in patients with the following conditions.

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Available Test Variations

References

Search Google Scholar for peer-reviewed, published research using the Inquisit Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS).

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Diamond, A., Carlson, S., & Beck, D. (2005). Preschool Children's Performance in Task Switching on the Dimensional Change Card Sort Task: Separating the Dimensions Aids the Ability to Switch. Developmental Neuropsychology, 28(2), 689-729.

Zelazo, P.D. (2006). The Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS): a method of assessing executive function in children. Nature Protocols, 1, pp. 297+.

Dichter, G., Radonovich, K., Turner-Brown, L., Lam, K., Holtzclaw, T., & Bodfish, J. (2009). Performance of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders on the Dimension-Change Card Sort Task. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40(4), 448-456.

Hanania, R. (2010). Two types of perseveration in the Dimension Change Card Sort task. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 107(3), 325-336.

Bardikoff, N., & Sabbagh, M. (2021). Multidimensional Reasoning Can Promote 3‐Year‐Old Children’s Performance on the Dimensional Change Card Sort Task. Child Development, 92(5), E924-E939.

Perone, S., Molitor, S., Buss, A., Spencer, J., & Samuelson, L. (2015). Enhancing the Executive Functions of 3-Year-Olds in the Dimensional Change Card Sort Task. Child Development, 86(3), 812-827.