Script Author: Katja Borchert, Ph.D. (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Created: January 03, 2017
Last Modified: January 10, 2023 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Script Copyright © Millisecond Software, LLC
This script implements an Alternating Serial Reaction Task (with 4 different response buttons) based on
Howard, D.V. & Howard, J.H. (2004). Implicit Sequence Learning: Effects of Level of Structure, Adult Age, and Extended Practice. Psychology and Aging, 19, 79–92.
Note: this script runs with Mouse Input. Inquisit script asrt.iqjs runs the key-input version.
45 minutes
Participants are presented 4 gray boxes in 4 possible screen positions (1, 2, 3, 4 with 1 being the left most box). The boxes sequentially turn red and participants have to press the corresponding box with the mouse. The boxes turn red in semi-random fashion: a basic repeating pattern sequence (Example: 1, 3, 2, 4) is interweaved with a random sequence. Result: 1(Pattern), Random, 3 (Pattern), Random, 2 (Pattern), Random, 4 (Pattern), Random, 1 (Pattern), Random....etc The number of random trials in between pattern trials is determined by parameters.lag: lag = 2 => each pattern trial is followed by 1 random trial (every other trial is a pattern trial) lag = 3 => each pattern trial is followed by 2 random trials etc. (every third trial is a pattern trial)
•21 ASRT blocks that run
- 10 random position start trials (excluded from analysis)
- number of pattern repetitions (default: 10) x length of pattern sequence (default: 4) = 40 pattern trials
- number of random patterns = (parameters.lag - 1) * number of pattern trials (by default, with lag= 2: 40 random trials)
Each block starts with the presentation of 4 gray boxes for 120ms before the first box turns red.
Incorrect responses are recorded but response needs to be corrected for trial to terminate.
After a correct response, the next target is presented after a response-stimulus interval (default RSI is 120 ms;
this can be edited under Editable Parameters).
4 gray boxes - size and screen location can be edited under Editable Parameters.
Position of targets (box turning red) can be edited under section Editable Lists
are not original; edit under section Editable Instructions
File Name: asrt_mi_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 |
| sequence | Pattern sequence run |
| lag | Sets the lag between patter trials (default: 2) lag1 = every trial is a pattern trial (p1, p2, p3, p4, p1....) lag2 = every other trial is a pattern trial (p1, r, p2, r, p3, r, p4, r, p1....) lag3 = every third trial is a pattern trial (p1, r, r, p2, r, r, p3, r, r, p4, r, r, p1....) |
| countTestBlocks | Test Block Counter Performance Data proportion correct measures the accuracy of the INITIAL response 'latency correct' measures the response time until the correct response was made p: pattern trial r: random trial |
| accP | The mean of all block proportion corrects for pattern trials |
| rtP | The mean of all block median correct latencies (in ms) for pattern trials |
| accR | The mean of all block proportion corrects for random trials (start trials excluded) |
| rtR | The mean of all block median correct latencies (in ms) for random trials (start trials excluded) and separately for each testblocks |
| acc1P - acc21P | Proportion correct for Pattern trials (block1-21) |
| rt1P - rt21P | Median correct latency (in ms) for Pattern trials (block1-21) |
| acc1P - acc21R | Proportion correct for Random trials (block1-21) |
| rt1P - rt21R | Median correct latency (in ms) for Random trials (block1-21) |
File Name: asrt_mi_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 |
| sequence | Pattern sequence run |
| lag | Sets the lag between patter trials (default: 2) lag1 = every trial is a pattern trial (p1, p2, p3, p4, p1....) lag2 = every other trial is a pattern trial (p1, r, p2, r, p3, r, p4, r, p1....) lag3 = every third trial is a pattern trial (p1, r, r, p2, r, r, p3, r, r, p4, r, r, p1....) |
| countTestBlocks | Counts the number of test blocks run |
| countPatternTrials | Counts the pattern trials in a block (resets for each test block) |
| countRandomTrials | Counts the random trials in a block (resets for each test block; excludes the start trials before the pattern is started) |
| countSequenceReps | Counts the number of pattern sequence reps in a block (does not count starter trials) |
| index | Helper variable to determine the next stim position |
| position | 1, 2, 3, or 4 => screen position of the red stim (red box) from left to right |
| rsi | Response Stimulus Interval in ms (interval between correct response and presentation of next stimulus) (default: 120ms) |
| response | The FINAL trial response script saves the final and -by design- correct response |
| correct | The correctness of the INITIAL response (1 = correct; 0 = incorrect) only correct responses advance to the next trial |
| latency | The response latency/reaction time (in ms); measured from onset of red box stimulus until the correct response was entered (error penalty included) p: pattern trial r: random trial |
| feedbackAcc | Overall proportion correct (pattern and random trials) |
| feedbackRT | Overall (pattern and random trials) median response time of correct responses |
| list.accuracyP.mean | Proportion correct pattern trials in the current block (including currently run trial) |
| list.latenciesP.median | Median latency (in ms) of responding to pattern trials in the current block (including currently run trial) |
| list.accuracyR.mean | Proportion correct random trials in the current block (including currently run trial) |
| list.latenciesR.median | Median latency (in ms) of responding to random trials in the current block (including currently run trial) |
The procedure can be adjusted by setting the following parameters.
| Name | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| lag | Sets the lag between patter trials lag1 = every trial is a pattern trial (p1, p2, p3, p4, p1....) lag2 = every other trial is a pattern trial (p1, r, p2, r, p3, r, p4, r, p1....) lag3 = every third trial is a pattern trial (p1, r, r, p2, r, r, p3, r, r, p4, r, r, p1....) | 2 |
| nrBlocks | Number of blocks run default script provides summary variables for 21 blocks; if more should be run add necessary values to VALUES and update block.ASRT under section BLOCK accordingly | 21 |
| maxPatternRepetitions | The maximum number of pattern repetitions per block interface | 10 |
| pos1X | The first horizonal box position from the left in canvas width percentages (0% at the far left of canvas - 100% far right of canvas) | |
| pos2X | The second horizonal box position from the left in canvas width percentages | |
| pos3X | The third horizonal box position from the left in canvas width percentages | |
| pos4X | The fourth horizonal box position from the left in canvas width percentages | |
| stimHeight | Height of the boxes in canvas height percentages Duration Paramters (in ms) | 5% |
| rsi | Response Stimulus Interval in ms (interval between correct response and presentation of next stimulus) | 120ms |
| breakDuration | The duration of the breaks (in ms) in between test blocks | 30000 |
| readyDuration | Duration (in ms) of getting ready trial | 5000ms |