Corsi's block tapping task

From Psy3242

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== Purpose ==
== Purpose ==
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The Corsi's block tapping test examines for working (short term) memory capacity by asking subjects to remember and repeat a series of numbers. This test is a spatial version of the digit span tests because the participant must repeat a sequence of taps on a set of blocks that is presented to them.  
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The Corsi's block tapping test examines for working (short term) memory capacity by asking the subjects to remember and repeat a series of numbers. This test is a spatial version of the digit span tests because the subjects must repeat a sequence of taps on a set of blocks that is presented to them.  
-
The digit span test and reverse digit span test is conducted with the Corsi's block tapping test so that the scores of all the tests can be compared to see if there were any correlation or significant differences between the scores. The test simply asks for the participants to verbally repeat a sequence of numbers either forward or backwards.  
+
The digit span test and reverse digit span test is conducted with the Corsi's block tapping test so that the scores of all the tests can be compared to see if there were any correlation or significant differences between the scores. The test simply asks for the subjects to verbally repeat a sequence of numbers either forward or backwards.  
== Instructions ==
== Instructions ==
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'''''Digit Span'''''
'''''Digit Span'''''
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1. The tester will say a list of 3 numbers and ask the participant to repeat them back.  
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1. Say a list of 3 numbers and ask the subject to repeat them back.  
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2. Continue to add a number to the list each time until an error is made.  
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2. Continue to add a number to the list each time until an error is made by the subject.  
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3. Make sure the tester records the numbers down so they do not forget the list.  
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3. Record the numbers said to help keep track of them.
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4. Record the best score.  
'''''Reverse Digit Span'''''
'''''Reverse Digit Span'''''
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1. The tester will say a list of 3 numbers and ask the participant to repeat them BACKWARDS.
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1. Say a list of 3 numbers and ask the subject to repeat them BACKWARDS.
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2. Continue to add numbers to the list until all an error is made.  
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2. Continue to add numbers to the list until an error is made.
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3. Record the best score of this test.  
'''''Corsi's task'''''
'''''Corsi's task'''''
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1. The tester starts by presenting a sequence of 4 taps and asking the participant to observe and repeat the sequence.
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1. Start by presenting a sequence of 4 taps and ask the subject to observe and repeat the sequence.
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2. The blocks should be positioned so that only the tester can see the numbers.
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2. Position the blocks so that only you (the tester) can see the numbers.
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3. Record the best score of this test.  

Current revision as of 16:53, 9 April 2008


Contents

Purpose

The Corsi's block tapping test examines for working (short term) memory capacity by asking the subjects to remember and repeat a series of numbers. This test is a spatial version of the digit span tests because the subjects must repeat a sequence of taps on a set of blocks that is presented to them.

The digit span test and reverse digit span test is conducted with the Corsi's block tapping test so that the scores of all the tests can be compared to see if there were any correlation or significant differences between the scores. The test simply asks for the subjects to verbally repeat a sequence of numbers either forward or backwards.

Instructions

Digit Span

1. Say a list of 3 numbers and ask the subject to repeat them back. 2. Continue to add a number to the list each time until an error is made by the subject. 3. Record the numbers said to help keep track of them. 4. Record the best score.

Reverse Digit Span

1. Say a list of 3 numbers and ask the subject to repeat them BACKWARDS. 2. Continue to add numbers to the list until an error is made. 3. Record the best score of this test.

Corsi's task

1. Start by presenting a sequence of 4 taps and ask the subject to observe and repeat the sequence. 2. Position the blocks so that only you (the tester) can see the numbers. 3. Record the best score of this test.


Additional Instructions

After completing all three tasks, compare the scores of the tasks. Do they correlate? Are there significant differences in the tasks? Digit span is typically about two more than Corsi span.

Image

Image:corsi_blocks.jpg

a: Spatial short-term memory is measured using the Corsi block tapping test. The tester taps a sequence of blocks, which the subject attempts to imitate. Sequence length increases until performance breaks down. Testing is facilitated by the numbers on the tester's side of the blocks. b: Spatial span (was not a part of this specific test conducted in class) c: Effects of interference from visual or spatial stimuli on Corsi and pattern span. Corsi span is disrupted by spatial activity and pattern span by visual activity.

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