EarlyFlank1 Specs

Word_Digit RT Tasks Specs

In this experiment, subjects perform two basic tasks alone and then the two tasks are combined together. This is fairly complicated experiment since there are a total of 14 blocks and the number of trials differs in each block as well as the stimuli. There will be 10 counterbalancing conditions.

There are 2 Basic Tasks:

1. A Recall Task: Wav file is presented and then recall aloud (via microphone) a set of words.

2. Choice RT tasks: with 2 possible stimuli and 2 possible button-push responses.

Recall Task:

Play wav file for 64sec. Place 3-digit number (e.g. 455) in the center of the screen. The number should be in 24 point font. Leave number on the screen for 47 sec. Subjects will count backwards by 3’s into the microphone. After number disappears from screen, play “beep” sound. At this point, subjects will say aloud the words from the wav file into a microphone. Responses will be recorded for 60sec. Afterwards, display message on screen that they have completed the task.

Need to record numbers and words spoken as well as RTs. Can we record a single RT for each word or number spoken into the microphone?

Choice RT tasks:

There will be 4 versions of the Choice RT task.

For all versions stimuli are presented in the center of the screen for 2000msec. The stimuli should be presented in 24 point font. Subjects will respond with one of two key presses.

Choice RT Task Mapping:

There will be a total of 8 targets.

Targets are based on stimuli from one of 4 text files (StimListA StimListB, StimListC, and StimListD). Each text file contains 118 stimuli. Stimuli 1-59 are associated with one target and stimuli 60-118 are associated with a second target. Furthermore, there are 7 types of trials (variable TrialType) paired with the targets.

Additionally, there are 4 task conditions for each version of the Choice RT task.

Use a variable called taskcond to represent these conditions

Targets1 and Target5 à TaskCond = digit_num

Target2 and Target6 à TaskCond = word_cat

Target3 and Target7 à TaskCond = word_adhoc

Target4 and Target8à TaskCond = digit_mag

Each of the two targets per TaskCond will be assigned to the following keys on the keyboard:

Target1, Target2, Target3, Target4 are assigned to “Z” key on the keyboard.

Target5, Target6, Target7, Target8 assigned to the “/” key on the keyboard.

Trials:

The two targets in each TaskCond need to be randomized within a TrialType to create trials. For example, for TrialType = prac and TaskCond = digit_num, targets 1 and 5 need to be presented in a random order. There should a total of 16 trials in this example with eight target1 and eight target5.

The following are the number of trials (using both targets per TaskCond) per TrialType. Note that there are an equal number of both targets in each one.

Pract = 16 trials, S1 = 4 trials, Single1 = 30 trials, S2 = 4 trials, Dual = 30 trials, S3= 4 trials, Single2 = 30 trials

Blocks

On first page collect subject ID# and condition. Provide General Instructions screen (see attached instructions for General Instructions to Subject).

There should be a total of 14 blocks.

Blocks 2-5 are similar except that the TaskCond differs in each block.

Blocks 7-10 are similar except that the TaskCond differs in each block.

Blocks 11-14 are similar except that the TaskCond differs in each block.

Block1:

Present Block 1 instructions (see attached instructions file)

Present Recall Task as described above.

Recall Only (Block 1)

Study List:

16 words

Filler Task:

Count backwards (3s)

Recall Only

64s 55s 60s

RT choice Single Tasks

RT Choice Tasks (Block 2-5)

Practice

Pre-measure

RT choice Task

32s 8s 60s

Block 2:

Present Block 2 Instructions (see attached instructions file)

Have a screen indicating that they should place their fingers on keys. Restate that the keys associated with each of the two targets. Display screen for 1000msec.

This block contains the stimuli from TrialTypes: Prac, S1 and Single1 For TaskCond = digit_num

Subjects perform the prac trials. . After Prac, place a message box indicating to subjects that they have completed the practice session and they will begin the task trials. Subjects will then complete S1 and Single1 trials.

Block 3:

This block is identical to Block 2 except that TaskCond = word_cat

Present Block 3 Instructions (see attached instructions file)

Block 4:

This block is identical to Block 2 except that TaskCond = word_adhoc

Use Block 4 Instructions (see attached instructions file)

Block 5:

This block is slightly different from the previous blocks.

Use Block 5 Instructions (see attached instructions file)

Below is an example of the screen where the number appears in the middle of the upper portion of the screen and the line appears in the lower portion of the screen.

Subjects indicate if the number on the tickmark is larger.

Block 6:

This block uses only the Recall Task

Present Block 6 instructions (see attached instruction file)

Play wav file2 for 64sec.

Place number 388 in the center of the screen. Leave number on the screen for 55sec.

Subjects will count backwards by 3’s into the microphone. After number disappears from screen, play “beep” sound. At this point, subjects will say aloud the words from the wav file2 into a microphone. Responses will be recorded for 6000msec. Afterwards, display message on screen that they have completed the task.

Recall Only (Block 6)

Study List:

16 words

Filler Task:

Count backwards (3s)

Recall Only

64s 55s 60s

Dual Task Blocks:

Two things will be recorded simultaneously onto a wav file: an inaudible beep will be sent to the sound recorder each time the participant presses a key for the RT choice task as well as the words that they recall from the list.

Experimental Blocks 6-10:

Blocks with RT Choice Tasks & Recall (Blocks 7-10)

Study List:

16 words

Filler Task:

Count backwards (3s)

RT Choice Task:

1 of 4 Tasks

Recall + RT Choice Task

64s 47s 8s 60s

Block 7:

This block uses the Recall Task and a Choice RT task. The stimuli will be from TaskCond= digit_num for trialtypes = S2 and Dual

Present Block 7 instructions (see attached instruction file)

Play wav file3 for 64sec.

Place number 672 in the center of the screen. Leave number on the screen for 47sec.

Subjects will count backwards by 3’s into the microphone.

After number disappears from screen, present trialtype =S2.

After S2 is completed, play “beep” sound and present trialtype=Dual

In this block, subjects will press the keys that correspond to the targets as well as the words aloud into the microphone. After Dual ends, display message that informs subject that they have completed the task.

Block 8:

This block uses the Recall Task and a Choice RT task. The stimuli will be from TaskCond= word_cat for trialtypes = S2 and Dual

Present Block 8 instructions (see attached instruction file)

Play wav file4 for 64sec.

Place number 529 in the center of the screen. Leave number on the screen for 47sec.

Subjects will count backwards by 3’s into the microphone.

After number disappears from screen, present trialtype =S2.

After S2 is completed, play “beep” sound and present trialtype=Dual

Block 9:

This block uses the Recall Task and a Choice RT task. The stimuli will be from TaskCond= word_adhoc for trialtypes = S2 and Dual

Present Block 9 instructions (see attached instruction file)

Play wav file5 for 64sec.

Place number 141 in the center of the screen. Leave number on the screen for 470sec.

Subjects will count backwards by 3’s into the microphone.

After number disappears from screen, present trialtype =S2.

After S2 is completed, play “beep” sound and present trialtype=Dual

Block 10:

This block uses the Recall Task and a Choice RT task. The stimuli will be from TaskCond= digit_mag for trialtypes = S2 and Dual

Present Block 10 instructions (see attached instruction file)

Play wav file6 for 64sec.

Place number 294 in the center of the screen. Leave number on the screen for 47sec.

Subjects will count backwards by 3’s into the microphone.

After number disappears from screen, present trialtype =S2.

After S2 is completed, play “beep” sound and present trialtype=Dual

Blocks 11-14:

These blocks are similar to blocks 2-5 except that the TrialType = S3 and Single2

Blocks 11-14

Pre-measure

RT choice Task

8s 60s

Block 11:

Use the instructions for block 2 except delete the line “You will have a short practice session before you begin the task.”

Use the stimuli for TaskCond = Digit_num for TrialType = S3 and Single2

Subjects perform S3 followed by Single2 trials immediately after each other without a break.

Block 12:

Use the instructions for block 3 except delete the line “You will have a short practice session before you begin the task.”

Use the stimuli for TaskCond = word_cat for TrialType = S3 and Single2

Subjects perform S3 followed by Single2 trials immediately after each other without a break.

Block 13:

Use the instructions for block 4 except delete the line “You will have a short practice session before you begin the task.”

Use the stimuli for TaskCond = word_adhoc for TrialType = S3 and Single2

Subjects perform S3 followed by Single2 trials immediately after each other without a break.

Block 14:

Use the instructions for block 5 except delete the line “You will have a short practice session before you begin the task.”

Use the stimuli for TaskCond = digit_mag for TrialType = S3 and Single2

Subjects perform S3 followed by Single2 trials immediately after each other without a break.

Note: At the end of each block, put up a message saying “Rest Period – Click to Resume”.

Counterbalancing and Randomization of Blocks:

Blocks 1 to 5 should be randomized such that each subject could get a unique order of these blocks.

Blocks 11 to 14 should be randomized such that each subject could get a unique order of these blocks.

Blocks 6 to 10 need to be counterbalanced in a specific order

See chart below:

order-->	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th
condition 1	Block 6	Block 7	Block 8	Block 9	Block 10
condition 2	Block 7	Block 9	Block 6	Block 10	Block 8
condition 3	Block 9	Block 10	Block 7	Block 8	Block 6
condition 4	Block 10	Block 8	Block 9	Block 6	Block 7
condition 5	Block 8	Block 6	Block 10	Block 7	Block 9
condition 6	Block 10	Block 9	Block 8	Block 7	Block 6
condition 7	Block 8	Block 10	Block 6	Block 9	Block 7
condition 8	Block 6	Block 8	Block 7	Block 10	Block 9
condition 9	Block 7	Block 6	Block 9	Block 8	Block 10
condition 10	Block 9	Block 7	Block 10	Block 6	Block 8

File Structure

You will need to save

subject_ID#, Counterbalancing condition, block number, TaskCond, Trialtype, trial number, RT choice task stimuli presented on the screen, RT to press key for target, which key was pressed for target, RT to say words aloud, Each word that is said