___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ *Automated Symmetry Span Task (ASSPAN)* ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Script Author: David Nitz (dave@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC last updated: 03-20-2024 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC Script Copyright © 03-20-2024 Millisecond Software Task Copyright (c) 2005 by Dr. Randall Engle: http://psychology.gatech.edu/renglelab/ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ BACKGROUND INFO ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This script implements the Automated Symmetry Span Task (ASSPAN), a measure of working memory. Working Memory Span Tasks Reference: CONWAY, A.R.A., KANE, M.J.,BUNTING, M.F., D. ZACH HAMBRICK, D.Z., WILHELM, O., & ENGLE, R.W. (2005). Working memory span tasks: A methodological review and user’s guide. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 2005, 12 (5), 769-786. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ TASK DESCRIPTION ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Participants are presented visual sequences of 2-5 red squares (default) in a 4x4 matrix that need to be recalled at the end. Each square in the sequence is preceded by a symmetry judgement of pixelated black and white images. Square recall is tested by asking participants to click the sequence of the red squares in a provided 4 x 4 matrix. Recall of location AND order of squares matters. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DURATION ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ the default set-up of the script takes appr. 20 minutes to complete __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DATA FILE INFORMATION ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The default data stored in the data files are: (1) Raw data file: 'automatedsymmspan_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. response: the participant's response (the selected button) correct: the correctness of the response (1 = correct; 0 = incorrect) latency: the response latency (in ms) currentsetsize: the size of the currently tested set of squares list.TestSquareList.nextValue: stores the matrix location of the current square symmetryproblemcount: tracks the number of symmetry problems presented picture.SymmetryProblem.currentItem: stores the currently presented Symmetry Problem symmetryaccuracy: percent correct symmetry problems symmetrytotalerrors: tracks the total number of symmetry errors (both speed and accuracy problems) symmetryaccerrors: tracks the symmetry problem errors due to accuracy (aka selected the incorrect answer) symmetryspeederrors: tracks the symmetry problem errors due to speed (aka was to slow to make a decision) symmetrytimeout: stores the time the symmetry problem is presented to participants totalcorrectsquares: tracks the sum of all correctly recalled squares (Max for the default experimental set-up: 42) totalrecalledsets: tracks the number of all correctly recalled sets sspan: tracks the sum of all correctly recalled squares of correctly recalled sets (Max for the default experimental set-up: 42) (2) Summary data file: 'automatedsymmspan_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) sspan: tracks the sum of all correctly recalled squares of correctly recalled sets totalcorrectsquares: tracks the sum of all correctly recalled squares totalrecalledsets: tracks the number of all correctly recalled sets symmetrytotalerrors: tracks the total number of symmetry errors (both speed and accuracy problems) symmetryspeederrors: tracks the symmetry problem errors due to speed (aka was to slow to make a decision) symmetryaccerrors: tracks the symmetry problem errors due to accuracy (aka selected the incorrect answer) symmetryaccuracy: percent correct symmetry problems __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1 Practice Session (default): a) Practice of recalling sequences of squares of set sizes 2-3 in ascending order in a 4x4 matrix (4 trials) b) Practice of symmetry judgements of pixel images (15 trials) c) Combined practice of recalling sequences of squares (set size 2 only) and symmetry judgments: each square is preceded by either a symmetrical or an asymmetrical pixel image (3 trials). Square recall is done by clicking the cells of a provided 4 x 4 matrix. Test Session (default): 12 Trials (12 = 3 repetitions of 4 set sizes; order of set sizes is randomly determined): Recalling sequences of squares (set size 2-5): each square is preceded by either a symmetrical or an asymmetrical pixel image. Square recall is done by clicking the cells of a provided 4 x 4 matrix. Scoring: The program reports five values at the conclusion of the experiment: The first, SSPAN score, uses the traditional “absolute sspan” scoring method. It is the sum of all perfectly recalled sets. So, for example, if an individual recalled correctly 2 squares in a set size of 2 (complete recall), 3 squares in a set size of 3 (complete recall), and 3 squares in a set size of 4 (partial recall only), their SSPAN score would be 5 (2 + 3 + 0). Total number correct is the total number of squares recalled in the correct position (2 + 3 + 4 = 9 in the above example). Symmetry errors are reported as total number of errors, accuracy errors where the subject solved the operation incorrectly, and speed errors in which the subject ran out of time in attempting to solve a given operation. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ STIMULI ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ symmetry pixel images: check section Editable Stimuli ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ INSTRUCTIONS ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ see section Editable Instructions ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ EDITABLE CODE ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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: / learninginterval: duration (in ms) of the letter presentation trials (default: 850ms) / startSymmTimeout: start duration (in ms) of the math presentation trials (default: 5000ms) Note: the duration is adjusted for the test trials based on practice performance / debugmode: 0 = testmode => no debug information is presented 1 = debugmode => debug information is presented on screen