Design Fluency Task (DFT)
Background
Design fluency (DF) tasks require individuals to draw as many unique, abstract designs as possible in a limited time. They are generally viewed as the nonverbal analog to Verbal Fluency tasks and are used to assess creativity and executive functions such as planning, cognitive flexibility, fluency and inbibition. Marilyn Jones-Gotman and Brenda Milner introduced the original DF version in 1977 and established the test as a nonverbal measure to evaluate executive function.
A popular paper-and-pencil version is the D-KEFS Design Fluency task which has been part of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System since 2001. The main task of the D-KEFS is to draw as many original 4-line patterns, that follow certain rules, as possible within a certain timeframe (e.g. 1 minute). The designs of each condition are all drawn on the same page.
The D-KEFS runs three rule conditions:
- Rule 1: draw 4-line patterns in 5-dot (all black) displays
- Rule 2: draw 4-line patterns in 10-dot displays (5 white dots, 5 black dots), ignoring the black dots (distractor condition)
- Rule 3: draw 4-line patterns in 10-dot displays (5 white dots, 5 black dots), alternating between white and black dots (switching condition)
The computerized Millisecond DF task tests participants under three similar task conditions with the difference that participants in the Millisecond DF task work on one display at a time with patterns being erased after submitting them. This aspect of the DF procedure is in line with the Computerized Design Fluency (C-DF) task published by David Woods and colleagues in 2016 and increases working memory load as participants need to keep track of previously generated solutions. The solutions are automatically scored by the software.
Task Procedure
Participants work through all three conditions in sequence. An optional practice phase can be added. This practice phase runs 5 trials with simplified dot displays and provides error feedback.
Condition 1 (Baseline Condition)
The first rule condition asks participants to draw unique 4-line patterns in a 5-dot (all black) display. The basic 5-dot display stays constant throughout. They have 1 minute to generate as many unique solutions as possible. No feedback is provided at this stage.
Condition 2 (Distractor Condition)
The second rule condition asks participants to draw unique 4-line patterns in 10-dot displays (5 white dots, 5 black dots), connecting only the white dots and ignoring the black ones (distractors). They have 1 minute to generate as many unique solutions as possible. No feedback is provided at this stage.
Condition 3 (Switching Condition)
The third rule condition asks participants to draw unique 4-line patterns in 10-dot displays (5 white dots, 5 black dots), alternating btw. white and black dots (switching condition). They have 1 minute to generate as many unique solutions as possible. No feedback is provided at this stage.
What it Measures
The Design Fluency Task is non-verbal measure of executive control
Psychological domains
- Executive Control: Collection of "top-down" mental processes used to manage and regulate thoughts and actions
- Planing: Ability to plan a new line design
- Cognitive Flexibility: Ability to switch between patterns and adjust to new rules
- fluency: the speed of generating new designs
- Inbibition: the ability to inhibit/repeat previously generated designs and ignore distractors
Main Performance Metrics
- Composite Score: Number of correct solutions across all three conditions as a measure of fluency
Psychiatric Conditions
The following patient groups show impacted performance on DF tasks
- Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
- Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
- Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Traumatic Brain Injury
A computerized version of a design fluency task inspired by the D-KEFS Design Fluency Task in which participants are asked to generate unique line drawings between a provided display of dots. Design fluency tasks are considered nonverbal analogs to Verbal Fluency tasks and are used to assess executive functions such as planning, cognitive flexibility, fluency and inhibition.
References
Search Google Scholar for peer-reviewed, published research using the Inquisit Design Fluency Task (DFT).
Delis DC, Kaplan E, Kramer JH (2001) Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS). San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.
Woods DL, Wyma JM, Herron TJ, Yund EW (2016). A Computerized Test of Design Fluency. PLoS ONE 11(5): e0153952. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0153952