Script Author: David Nitz (dave@millisecond.com), Millisecond (backward task)
Last Modified: January 02, 2025 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Script Copyright © Millisecond Software, LLC
This script implements the Forward Corsi Block Tapping Task; a measure of spatial working memory. The script provides normative data (Kessels et al, 2000)
Note: The current script allows to run the Corsi Block Tapping Task with absolute stimulus sizing to ensure that the size of the Corsi blocks (with a target box size ~3cm) as well as their distances are constant across monitors. Check section Defaults for more info.
The implemented procedure is described in:
Kessels, R.P.C., van Zandvoort, M.J.E., Postma, A., Kappelle, L.J., & de Haan, E.H.F. (2000). The Corsi block-tapping task: Standardization and normative data. Applied Neuropsychology, 7(4), 252-258.
Corsi, P. M. (1972). Human memory and the medial temporal region of the brain. Dissertation Abstracts International, 34, 819B.
5 minutes
Participants are presented with a screen of 9 boxes. The boxes light up in a pre-fixed sequence (constant across participants) and participants are asked to click on the boxes in the same order they were lit. The sequence length starts at level = 2 boxes and can increase to up to level 9. Participants get 2 chances at each sequence length. If one of the sequences was entered correctly, the next sequence starts.
• predetermined sequence of boxes (see section Editable Lists)
• start level N=2 up to level 9
• 2 chances per level
The current script runs the task with proportional sizing.
To change to absolute sizing, go to section Defaults and follow instructions.
see section Editable Instructions
File Name: corsiblocktappingtask_summary*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| inquisit.version | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| startDate | Date the session was run |
| startTime | Time the session was run |
| subjectId | Participant ID |
| groupId | Group number |
| sessionId | Session number |
| elapsedTime | Session duration in ms |
| completed | 0 = Test was not completed 1 = Test was completed |
| ncorrecttotal | Total number of correctly recalled sequences across the whole task. The achieved Block Span. Equals the length of the last correctly recalled sequence (Max = 9) |
| zBlockspan | The z-score of the obtained Blockspan with mean (6.2) and SD (1.3) (see Kessels et al, 2000, table 2) |
| pBlockspan | The percentile of the obtained Blockspan z-score |
| totalscore | Summary score proposed by Kessels et al. (2000). Computed as 'values.blockspan' * 'values.ncorrecttotal'. |
| zTotalscore | The z-score of the obtained Totalscore with mean (55.7) and SD (20.3) (see Kessels et al, 2000, table 2) |
| pTotalscore | The percentile of the obtained Totalscore z-score |
| ageGroup | Stores the age group information IF parameters.runAgeQuestion is set to 'true' 1: age <= 20 2: 21 < age < 40 3: age > 40 based on Kessels et al (2000, table3). Due to overlapping age brackets reported in Kessels et al (2000, table 3) for age group 1 and 2, in this script age group 1 includes age 20 and age group 2 starts at age 21 |
| pTotalScoreByAge | The interpolated totalscore percentile based on age (see Kessels et al, 2000, table 3) only calculated if parameters.runAgeQuestion is set to 'true' (default) |
File Name: corsiblocktappingtask_raw*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| build | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| date | Date the session was run |
| time | Time the session was run |
| subject | Participant ID |
| group | Group number |
| session | Session number |
| ageGroup | Stores the age group information IF parameters.runAgeQuestion is set to 'true' 1: age <= 20 2: 21 < age < 40 3: age > 40 based on Kessels et al (2000, table3). Due to overlapping age brackets reported in Kessels et al (2000, table 3) for age group 1 and 2, in this script age group 1 includes age 20 and age group 2 starts at age 21 |
| blockCode | Name of the current block |
| blockNum | Number of the current block |
| trialCode | Name of the current trial |
| trialNum | Number of the current trial |
| seqnumber | The ordinal index number of the current block sequence. A maximum of 14 sequences are given in ascending order. |
| seqlength | Length of the current block sequence. |
| seqstring | The current sequence (forward) |
| respstring | The sequence entered by the participant (resets for each new sequence) |
| response | The response of the participant in a given trial |
| correct | '1' if the current sequence was recalled correctly. '0' if the participant made a mistake. |
| latency | The latency of the response (in ms) |
| eyetracker.lasttimestamp | Eyetracker timestamp |
| ncorrectinblock | Holds the number of correctly recalled sequences in the current block. Sequences are given in blocks of two. The task stops as soon as the participant fails to recall two sequences of equal length. |
| ncorrecttotal | Total number of correctly recalled sequences across the whole task.(Max = 16) |
| blockspan | The achieved Block Span. Equals the length of the last correctly recalled sequence (Max = 9) |
| totalscore | Summary score proposed by Kessels et al. (2000). Computed as 'values.blockspan' * 'values.ncorrecttotal'.(Max = 9 * 16 = 144) |
The procedure can be adjusted by setting the following parameters.
| Name | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
Color Parameter |
||
| blockColor | Display color for blocks in unhighlighted state. | blue |
| tapColor | Display color for currently highlighted ('tapped') blocks. | yellow |
| boardColor | Display color for the virtual game board. | black |
| boardFrameColor | Frame color of the virtual game board (if presented, see parameters.hideCanvasFrame) | white |
| screenColor | Color of the screen not used by the board | dimGrey |
| defaultTextColor | Default color of textitems | white |
| blockSize | Size of blocks in % of canvassize. | 20% |
Timing Parameters (In Ms) |
||
| tapInterval | Interval between 'taps' in ms. Default is '1000'. | 1000 |
| posttapInterval | Time between erasing a previously highlighted block and highlighting the next one in ms. | 250 |
| feedbackDuration | Duration of performance feedback after recalling a sequence. | 1000 |
Feedback Parameters |
||
| showFeedback | 'true' -> show performance feedback after each completed sequence. 'false' -> don't show performance feedback after each completed sequence. | true |
| showScores | 'true' -> show score summary at the end of the procedure. 'false' -> don't show score summary at the end of the procedure. | true |
Norming Paramaters |
||
| runAgeQuestion | True (1): the user's age can be entered in a textbox before running the task (default) false (0): no age information of the participant is sought | true |