Script Author: Katja Borchert, Ph.D. (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Created: January 26, 2019
Last Modified: January 30, 2024 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Script Copyright © Millisecond Software, LLC
This script implements a computerized version of the Mental Folding Test for Children (MFTC) published by:
Harris, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K. & Newcombe, N. S. (2013). A new twist on studying the development of dynamic spatial transformations: Mental paper folding in young children. Mind, Brain and Education, 7, 49-55.
(see also: https://spatiallearning.org/index.php/testsainstruments)
Suggested Age Group: 4-7
8 minutes
Participants are asked to mentally fold paper following specific markings and then select from amongst 4 options the one that represents the outcome of the mental folding.
(1) Practice: 2 practice items
Practice Item 1 is also discussed during instructions with the help of the test administrator.
The practice problems are repeated until child selects the correct response.
(2) Test: 14 test problems (no feedback should be given)
Each prompt is presented with 4 response options.
Each response option is categorized as either C(orrect), E(xtension), D(istortion), or T(riangle)
Stimuli are the original green-purple stimuli provided at
https://spatiallearning.org/index.php/testsainstruments
A second set in orange-blue was generated by Millisecond.
The set selection is controlled via an editable parameter (parameters.colorCondition)
Harris et al (2013) use actual paper models of the prompts and have the kids fold the models to train for
practice item #1.
The instructions used by Harris et al (2013) can be obtained from the authors or at
https://spatiallearning.org/index.php/testsainstruments.
The instructions provided in this script by Millisecond are written for the computer and presented in
form of htm-slides using scalable vector images (*.svg)
It is assumed that a test administrator works with the child while presenting them.
The slides can be edited/exchanged under EDITABLE CODE -> Editable Instructions.
The instruction block is optional. It can be skipped (see Editable Values); if they are skipped
the script jumps right into the first practice problem.
File Name: mentalpaperfolding_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 |
| countC | Counts all correct responses |
| countE | Counts all extension responses |
| countD | Counts all distortion responses |
| countT | Counts all triangle responses |
| propC | Proportion correct responses |
| propE | Proportion of extrension error responses (based on all problems) |
| propD | Proportion of distension error responses (based on all problems) |
| propT | Proportion of triangle error responses (based on all problems) |
File Name: mentalpaperfolding_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 |
| blockCode | Name of the current block |
| blockNum | Number of the current block |
| trialCode | Name of the current trial |
| trialNum | Number of the current trial |
| parameters.colorCondition | 1 = green/purple 2 = orange/blue |
| stimulusItem.1 | The current test image (to mentally fold) |
| stimulusitem.2- | The four presented solution images from left to right stimulusItem.5 |
| option1category- | C(orrect), E(xtension), D(istortion), or T(riangle) option4Category |
| response | The participant's response (option1-option4) |
| responseCategory | C=correct; E = Extension; D = Distortion; T = Triangle |
| correctOption | Stores the correct option (1-4: from left to right) |
| correct | The correctness of the response (1 = correct; 0 = incorrect) |
| latency | The response latency (in ms) |
| countC | Counts all correct responses |
| countE | Counts all extension responses |
| countD | Counts all distortion responses |
| countT | Counts all triangle responses |
The procedure can be adjusted by setting the following parameters.
| Name | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| skipInstructionBlock | True = instruction block is skipped false = instruction block is run (default) | |
| iti | Intertrial interval is ms between selecting a response and the presentation of the next prompt | |
| colorCondition | 1 = runs the green/purple set 2 = runs the orange/blue set |