| Patterns consisting of 3X3 arrangements of light and dark squares are flashed onto the computer screen at intervals of 1.5-2.5 seconds. The task is to respond whenever two consecutive shapes are the same. A total of 241 patterns are presented with 40 repetitions. The test lasts about 8 minutes. The number of correct and incorrect responses are recorded, and an error index computed. | |
| This task assesses the ability to maintain an alert state, while presenting
a rather low information processing load. It is sensitive to the effects
of a number of CNS depressant drugs, though it is not in general as sensitive
as more heavily-loaded tasks such as Rapid Visual information Processing.
Nonetheless it is of value to include this test as a representative of
many real-world activities which are under-loaded, most obviously driving.
Validation data for the task is available in the following references: Tiplady, B. (1992)
This task has been used in many studies to assess effects of drugs. The test can be run on a personal computer (either standalone or in a web browser), a handheld PDA, or a Java-enabled mobile phone.
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