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Columbia Card Task (CCT) -- "Hot" Version
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Script Author: David Nitz (dave@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC.
last updated: 09-09-2021 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC
Script Copyright © 09-09-2021 Millisecond Software
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BACKGROUND INFO
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This script implements the 'Columbia Card Task' (CCT) as described in:
Figner, B., Mackinlay, R.J., Wilkening, F., & Weber, E.U. (2009). Affective and deliberative
processes in risky choice: Age differences in risk taking in the Columbia Card Task.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 35, 709–730.
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TASK DESCRIPTION
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Participants are presented with 32 cards, all face down. Some of these cards are 'gain cards'
(=make money when turned over), some of them are loss cards (= lose money when turned over).
Participant turn cards over by clicking on them. For each round, they get the following info:
- number of hidden loss cards
- amount of money they can make from each gain card
- amount of money that they will lose if a loss card is encountered.
In the 'hot' version of the Columbia Card Task, participants get to see the result
of their choices immediately (full feedback provided after each card is turned over -
smiley face for a gain card, sad face for a loss card).
Note that the experimental trials rely on rigged feedback, i.e. the hidden loss card(s) will
always be the last possible card(s) that may be turned over by the participant. For example,
in a trial with 2 loss cards, only the 31st card turned over by the subject will be a loss card
independent of which cards the subject actually decides to pick.
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DURATION
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the default set-up of the script takes appr. XXX minutes to complete
(if no task duration is provided, please contact Millisecond Software
(katjab@millisecond.com)
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DATA FILE INFORMATION
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The default data stored in the data files are:
(1) Raw data file: 'cct_hot_raw*.iqdat' (a separate file for each participant)
(1) Raw data file: 'cct_cold_raw*.iqdat' (a separate file for each participant)
build: The specific Inquisit version used (the 'build') that was run
computer.platform: the platform the script was run on (win/mac/ios/android)
date, time, date and time script was run
subject, group, with the current subject/groupnumber
session: with the current session id
blockcode, blocknum: the name and number of the current block (built-in Inquisit variable)
trialcode, trialnum: the name and number of the currently recorded trial (built-in Inquisit variable)
Note: trialnum is a built-in Inquisit variable; it counts all trials run; even those
that do not store data to the data file.
response: the participant's response in the recorded trial
trial.pickcard: the selected card
latency: the response latency (in ms), measured from onset of trial
gameround: The current round number
trialtype: The type of trial, where '1' designates an experimental trial and '0' indicates a filler trial
losscards: The number of loss cards in a given round
gainamount: The gain amount per gain card in a given round
lossamount: The loss amount in a given round
ncards: The number of cards turned over by the subject in a given round
nsafecards: The number of cards safe to turn over in a given round
score: Points won / lost in a given round
totalscore: Points won / lost across the whole task
(2) Summary data file: 'cct_cold_summary*.iqdat' (a separate file for each participant)
computer.platform: the platform the script was run on (win/mac/ios/android)
script.startdate: date script was run
script.starttime: time script was started
script.subjectid: assigned subject id number
script.groupid: assigned group id number
script.sessionid: assigned session id number
script.elapsedtime: time it took to run script (in ms); measured from onset to offset of script
script.completed: 0 = script was not completed (prematurely aborted);
1 = script was completed (all conditions run)
totalscore: Points won / lost across the whole task
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EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP
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The CCT relies on a full factorial within-subject design. Three game parameters / factors
are varied between trials:
(a) Number of hidden loss cards (1, 2, or 3 loss cards)
(b) Gain amount per gain card (10, 20, or 30 points)
(c) Loss amount (250, 500, or 750 points)
There are a total of 3 x 3 x 3 = 27 unique combinations. These are encoded in the list elements in section EDITABLE LISTS.
Each of the 3 x 3 x 3 = 27 combinations of factor levels is presented twice, resulting in 54
experimental trials. The presentation of experimental trials is divided into two blocks of 27
trials, i.e. all 27 unique trials are run once in random order and then a second time in a
different random order.
Note that the experimental trials rely on rigged feedback, i.e. the hidden loss card(s) will
always be the last possible card(s) that may be turned over by the participant. For example,
in a trial with 2 loss cards, only the 31st card turned over by the subject will be a loss card
independent of which cards the subject actually decides to pick.
To maintain the impression that respondents are playing a real game of chance, 9 additional
trials are randomly interspersed among the 54 rigged experimental trials. All of this is
handled by list 'trialtype' (see section EDITABLE LISTS), where the value '0' designates a filler trial
(9 times) and the value '1' designates an experimental trial (54 times). Consequently, there will be a total of
63 game rounds (trials) to play. Note that filler trials should be excluded from data analysis.
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STIMULI
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provided by Millisecond Software
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INSTRUCTIONS
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see section Editable Instructions
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EDITABLE CODE
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check below for (relatively) easily editable parameters, stimuli, instructions etc.
Keep in mind that you can use this script as a template and therefore always "mess" with the entire code
to further customize your experiment.
check section Editable Lists for:
(a) Number of hidden loss cards (1, 2, or 3 loss cards)
(b) Gain amount per gain card (10, 20, or 30 points)
(c) Loss amount (250, 500, or 750 points)