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Corsi Visual Spatial Memory Test (backward)
(in German)
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last updated: 02-21-2022 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC
Script Copyright © 02-21-2022 Millisecond Software
This script is based on part on Inquisit's corsiblocktappingtask.iqx by David Nitz (dave@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC
German translation by K. Borchert for Millisecond Software
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BACKGROUND INFO
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This script implements the Backward Corsi Block Tapping Task similarly to the one described in:
Schellig, D. (2011). Vienna Test System: Manual. CORSI: Block-Tapping Test Forwards, Block-Tapping Test Backwards,
Supra Block Span Test.
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TASK DESCRIPTION
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Participants are presented with a screen of 9 boxes. The boxes light up in a pre-fixed sequence
and participants are asked to click on the boxes in the reversed order.
The sequence length starts at level = 3 boxes (level 2 is optional) and can increase to up to level 8.
Participants get 3 chances
at each sequence length. If one of the sequences was entered correctly, the next sequence starts.
The test terminates with three incorrect responses in a row or after the last trial on level 8.
A practice session with 2 trials (5 boxes, 3 lit) is run before the test to familiarize participants with the set-up.
Participants get one replacement sequence per level.
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DURATION
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the default set-up of the script takes appr. 5 minutes to complete
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DATA FILE INFORMATION
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The default data stored in the data files are:
(1) Raw data file: 'corsivisualspatialmemorytest_backward_german_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 such as feedback trials. Thus, trialnum
may not reflect the number of main trials run per block.
roundsPerLevel running count of the number of attempts per level (usually 3 unless the replacement sequence is played also -> then 4)
replacementTrial 1 = the current sequence is a replacement;
0 = otherwise
Note: one replacement per level is provided. To get the replacement sequence, participant needs to
enter 'done' without providing a response (values.respstring = "")
seqnumber The ordinal number of the current block sequence.
A maximum of 18 sequences (+ 6 possible make-up sequences) are given in ascending order.
(if level 2 is run, max. 21 sequences are given + 7 possible make-up sequences)
seqlength Length of the current block sequence (current level tested).
sequence The current sequence (forward)
backwardSequence: the reversed sequence of highlighted blocks (= correct tapping sequence)
response the response of the participant in a given trial ('1'-'9', 'done', 'reset)
respstring The sequence entered by the participant.
latency the latency of the last response (in ms)
correct 1 = the current sequence was recalled correctly;
0 = otherwise
sequenceError 1 = the error made is a sequence error;
0 = otherwise
sequence error: the correct blocks were selected but the order was incorrect
consecutiveErrors: running count of consecutive errors (within and across blocks); resets with each correct response
nCorrectInLevel Holds the number of correctly recalled sequences in the current block.
Note: participant has to get at least 2 trials per level correct to increase 'blockspan'
nCorrectTotal Total number of correctly recalled sequences across the whole task
nErrorsTotal Total number of errors made across all levels (includes non-tapped sequences that did not qualify for replacement)
nSequenceErrors counts the number of sequence errors made across the task
blockspan: The achieved Block Span: longest sequence length that was correctly reproduced at least twice
completedTest_s: stores the duration of the COMPLETED test session (in s)
workingTime_s: stores the time elapsed (in s) since start of test session until script completion
(2) Summary data file: 'corsivisualspatialmemorytest_backward_german_summary*.iqdat' (a separate file for each participant)
inquisit.version: Inquisit version run
computer.platform: the platform the script was run on (win/mac/ios/android)
startdate: date script was run
starttime: time script was started
subjectid: assigned subject id number
groupid: assigned group id number
sessionid: assigned session id number
elapsedtime: time it took to run script (in ms); measured from onset to offset of script
completed: 0 = script was not completed (prematurely aborted);
1 = script was completed (all conditions run)
nCorrectTotal: Total number of correctly recalled sequences across the whole task
nErrorsTotal: Total number of errors made across all levels (includes non-tapped sequences that did not qualify for replacement)
nSequenceErrors: counts the number of sequence errors made across the task
blockspan: The achieved Block Span: longest sequence length that was correctly reproduced at least twice
completedTest_s: stores the duration of the COMPLETED test session (in s)
workingTime_s: stores the time elapsed (in s) since start of test session until script completion
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EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP
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(1) Practice
* 2 trials with predetermined sequences of 3 boxes (see section Editable Lists)
* 5 boxes presented, 3 are lit
* each box is lit for 1000ms with an isi of 250ms (default)
* a beep is played after the last box to signal that response can be entered
* participants can make as many corrections as they want before submitting their response
* feedback is provided
* if incorrect response is submitted, the trial is repeated until participant enters the correct sequence
or reaches the max number of practice trials (default in this script: 8)
* it is not possible to omit a practice trial
(2) Test
* tests levels: 3-8 (starting at level 2 is optional)
* 3 trials with predetermined sequences per level (see section Editable Lists)
* 9 boxes presented
* each box is lit for 1000ms with an isi of 250ms (default)
* a beep is played after the last box to signal that response can be entered
* participants can make as many corrections as they want before submitting their response
* no feedback is provided
* once per level, a 'missed' sequence can be made-up. Participant has to press NEXT without providing a
response. In that case, a make-up sequence is provided.
* script terminates after
a) three incorrect responses in a row are submitted OR
b) the third response of level 8 is submitted
BlockSpan:
longest sequence length that was correctly reproduced at least twice
Note: the internal numbering of the blocks in this script and thus the pattern in which the blocks light up
might differ from Schellig (2011). Image 'blocknumbering.png' presents the order used by this script.
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INSTRUCTIONS
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provided by Millisecond Software - 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.
The parameters you can change are:
boardcolor Display color for the virtual game board.
blocksize Size of blocks in % of canvassize.
showscores 'true' -> show score summary at the end of the procedure.
'false' -> don't show score summary at the end of the procedure.
Default is 'true'.
tapinterval Interval between 'taps' in ms. Default is '1000'.
posttapinterval Time between erasing a previously highlighted block and highlighting the
next one in ms.
maxPracticeTrials the maximum number of practice trials provided before script terminates (default: 8)
skipLevel2: 1 (true): testing starts at level 3 (default)
0 (false): testing starts at level 2 (usually done when testing children)
