Squared Tasks
Background
The Squared Task battery consists of adaptations of three widely-used cognitive-behavioral tests that measure cognitive control and interference resolution: the Arrow Flanker Task, the the Simon Task, and the classic Stroop Task.
The battery was developed by Alex Burgoyne, Jason Tsukahara, Randall Engle and colleagues in 2023 to simplify and speed up task administration as well as increase the level of conflict in each of those three tasks (aka 'squaring' the conflict). The user interface as well as instructions and scoring were streamlined and each test can be completed in under 3 minutes. Furthermore, by focusing on net accuracy within a fixed time rather than on latency difference scores, the authors argue that the squared battery is much better suited for research on individual differences than the originals as the squared tasks' net score measures circumvent the often observed reliability and subsequent validity issues caused by response time difference scores at the level of the participant.
Overall the authors found that the squared tasks are strong predictors of multitasking ability and relate closely to working memory capacity and fluid intelligence.
Task Procedure
Each of the three squared tasks runs one practice session of 1 minute followed by one testing session of 1.5 minutes. Performance feedback is provided during practice.
Squared Flanker
In the Squared Flanker Task participants view a top stimulus (the 'target') which is a string of five arrow heads. The outside arrows (the flankers) always point in the same direction (all point left, all all point right) but the middle arrow can point in the opposite direction: →→→→→, ←←←←←, →→←→→, ←←→←←. Below the target, participants get two response options: a left response stimulus displaying a string of five arrows and a right response stimulus displaying a string of five arrows (left and right stimuli are orthogonal to each other). Participants are asked to match the direction of the outside arrows (the flankers) of the target stimulus to the middle arrow of one of the response stimuli.
Squared Simon
In the Squared Simon Task participants view a top stimulus (the 'target') - an arrow pointing left or right- located on either the left or the right side of the screen. Below the target, participants get two response options: a left response stimulus displaying the words LEFT or RIGHT and a right response stimulus displaying LEFT or RIGHT (left and right stimuli are orthogonal to each other). Participants are asked to match the direction of the target arrow to the semantic label of the response buttons.
Squared Stroop
In the Squared Stroop Task participants view a top word (the 'target') which is either the word 'RED' or 'BLUE' in either a red or a blue display color. Below the target, participants get two response buttons: a left response button displaying the word 'RED' or 'BLUE' in either a red or a blue display color and a right response button displaying the word 'RED' or 'BLUE' in either a red or a blue display color ((left and right stimuli are orthogonal to each other). Participants are asked to choose the stimulus that displays the semantic word that is congruent with the display color of the target word.
What it Measures
The Squared Task battery measures cognitive control and interference resolution
Psychological domains
- Cognitive Control: Ability to quickly adapt one's thoughts and behavior to current demands
- Inhibitory Control / Response Inhibition: Ability to override automatic responses that interfere with one's goals
- Cognitive Flexibility: Ability to quickly change between different task demands
Main Performance Metrics
- Net Score: the number of net points earned during the test phase as the main measure of an individual's cognitive control
Psychiatric Conditions
As of this date, the Squared Task battery is relatively new and has mostly been used for research studies with healthy adults.
Test Variations
The FlankerSquared task is part of a 'squared' test battery designed by Burgoyne et al (2023). These tasks are designed to provide an additional level of conflict (thus, the 'squared' part of the name) as well as a quick administration time compared to the more traditional designs of their respective tasks.
Runs an alternative fixed sequence of trials
Runs an alternative fixed sequence of trials
Runs an alternative fixed sequence of trials
Runs an alternative fixed sequence of trials
Runs a randomly generated sequence of trials (generated during runtime)
Runs an alternative fixed sequence of trials
Runs an alternative fixed sequence of trials
Runs an alternative fixed sequence of trials
Runs an alternative fixed sequence of trials
Runs an alternative fixed sequence of trials
The SimonSquared task is part of a 'squared' test battery designed by Burgoyne et al (2023). These tasks are designed to provide an additional level of conflict (thus, the 'squared' part of the name) as well as a quick administration time compared to the more traditional designs of their respective tasks.
Runs an alternative fixed sequence of trials
Runs an alternative fixed sequence of trials
Runs an alternative fixed sequence of trials
Runs an alternative fixed sequence of trials
Runs an alternative fixed sequence of trials
The StroopSquared task is part of a 'squared' test battery designed by Burgoyne et al (2023). These tasks are designed to provide an additional level of conflict (thus, the 'squared' part of the name) as well as a quick administration time compared to the more traditional designs of their respective tasks.
References
Search Google Scholar for peer-reviewed, published research using the Inquisit Squared Tasks.
Burgoyne, A. P., Tsukahara, J. S., Mashburn, C. A., Pak, R., & Engle, R. W. (2023). Nature and Measurement of Attention Control. Journal of Experimental Psychology. General, 152(8), 2369–2402. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001408
Burgoyne, A. P., Tsukahara, J. S., Mashburn, C. A., Pak, R., & Engle, R. W. (2023). Nature and Measurement of Attention Control. Journal of Experimental Psychology. General, 152(8), 2369–2402. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001408