Script Author: Katja Borchert, Ph.D. (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Credits:
Millisecond thanks Samantha Gualtieri for her help with this script!
Created: January 04, 2021
Last Modified: January 20, 2025 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Script Copyright © Millisecond Software, LLC
This script implements a computer implementation of the Standard Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) task as described by Zelazo (2006). The DCCS is a widely used test of executive functioning in children as young as 3 years olds. It is originally played with real cards. This computer implementation attempts to stay close to the original procedure with several additional features It is best played on touchscreens where children can simply touch the relevant categories. Nevertheless, it can also be played with the mouse on regular desktop computer screens.
Zelazo, P.D. (2006). The Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS): a method of assessing executive function in children. Nature Protocols, 1, pp. 297+.
5 minutes
Participants see two categories up top: a blue shape1 with a sorting basket and a red shape2 with a sorting basket. The game is played in two phases: 1. Pre Phase: participants either start with the COLOR game or the SHAPE game.
In the COLOR game, participants are asked to sort cards of red bunnies and blue boats in the respective baskets. Red bunnies should be sorted in the basket of the red boats whereas blue boats should be sorted in the basket of the blue bunny.
In the SHAPE game, participants are asked to sort cards of red bunnies and blue boats in the respective baskets. Red bunnies should be sorted in the basket of the blue bunny whereas blue boats should be sorted in the basket of the red boat
Participants are assigned to either the COLOR or SHAPE game by groupnumber and work on 6 trials (editable parameter) (no feedback is provided). By default, participants are NOT reminded of the COLOR (or SHAPE) rule before each trial (as is done in Zelazo, 2006). However, if needed, that feature can be turned on under section 'Editable Parameters'
Addition: this script runs 2 practice trials for the pre-sorting game. Participants have to get both trials correct before moving on to the pre-test and they have 3 attempts (editable parameter) to pass this practice. If they don't pass the pre-practice, the script is prematurely aborted.
2. Post Phase: after 6 trials (editable parameter) the game changes from the COLOR game to the SHAPE game (or from the SHAPE game to the COLOR game).
Participants again work on 6 trials. By default, participants are reminded of the COLOR (or SHAPE) rule before each trial.
A participant is said to 'pass' the standard version if they get 80% (editable parameter) Post Trials correct.
If participants pass the Standard Version, they can immediately be tested with the Advanced Version. The Advanced Version runs color and shape trials in a mixed block. A verbal cue is presented upfront to let participants know which task should be performed: - Color Game OR - Shape Game After a short introduction of the Advanced Version, participants play 12 trials (editable parameters). ule.
A participant is said to 'pass' the Advanced version if they get at least 75% trials correct.
• this script uses audio stimuli - please make sure to have audio on • the 'Advanced' game was originally called the 'Border Game' by Zelazo (2006) as it used non-verbal borders around the cards as cues to signal the color condition (no border meant that the shape game should be played). The Inquisit version uses verbal cues instead.
provided by Millisecond - can be edited under section Editable Stimuli
- stimuli downloaded under the Creative Commons License.
The stimuli can easily be exchanged for others. Go to section Editable Stimuli.
If the categories are changed from Bunnies and Boats, the instructions have to be updated accordingly.
based on instructions suggested by Zelazo (2006).
The script currently presents the instructions as text instructions only
File Name: dccs_standard_summary*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| inquisit.version | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| computer.touch | 0 = device has no touchscreen capabilities; 1 = device has touchscreen capabilities |
| computer.hasKeyboard | 0 = no external keyboard detected; 1 = external keyboard detected |
| startDate | Date the session was run |
| startTime | Time the session was run |
| subjectId | Participant ID |
| groupId | Group number |
| sessionId | Session number |
| elapsedTime | Session duration in ms |
| completed | 0 = Test was not completed 1 = Test was completed |
| dccsStandardPreCategory | "color" or "shape" |
Pre (Before Switch From Color To Shape Or Vice Versa) |
|
| trialCountPre | Total number of PRE trials run |
| countCorrectPre | Number correctly sorted PRE items (before switch) |
| propCorrectPre | Proportion correctly sorted items on the PRE category |
| meanCorrRTPre | Mean correct response time on PRE items |
Post (After Switch From Color To Shape Or Vice Versa) |
|
| trialCountPost | Total number of POST trials run |
| countCorrectPost | Number correctly sorted POST items (after switch) |
| propCorrectPost | Proportion correctly sorted items on the POST category |
| meanCorrRTPost | Mean correct response time on POST items |
Categorical Summary Performance Metrics |
|
| dccsStandardPre | "pass" (80% or more correctly sorted PRE items) "fail" otherwise |
| dccsStandardPost | "pass" (80% or more correctly sorted POST items) "fail" otherwise |
| dccsStandardScore | 0 = participant failed 'PRE' block 1 = participant passed 'PRE' block but failed 'Post' block 2 = participant passed 'PRE' and 'POST' block |
File Name: dccs_standard_raw*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| build | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| computer.touch | 0 = device has no touchscreen capabilities; 1 = device has touchscreen capabilities |
| computer.hasKeyboard | 0 = no external keyboard detected; 1 = external keyboard detected |
| date | Date the session was run |
| time | Time the session was run |
| subject | Participant ID |
| group | Group number |
| session | Session number |
| blockcode | The name the current block (built-in Inquisit variable) |
| blocknum | The number of the current block (built-in Inquisit variable) |
| trialcode | The name of the currently recorded trial (built-in Inquisit variable) |
| trialnum | The number of the currently recorded trial (built-in Inquisit variable) trialnum is a built-in Inquisit variable; it counts all trials run even those that do not store data to the data file. |
| dccsStandardPreCategory | "color" or "shape" |
| phase | 1 = PRE (switch); 2 = POST (switch) |
| trialCount | Trialcounter per phase |
| trialType | 1 = blue OR shape1 (bunny) 2 = red OR shape2 (boat) |
| cue | C(olor) vs. S(hape) ( in the standard version there is NO actual cue) |
| stim | The currently presented image (filename of image) |
| correctResponse | The correct response for the current trial |
| response | The participant's response (selected basket) |
| correct | Accuracy of response: 1 = correct response; 0 = otherwise |
| latency | The response latency (in ms); measured from: onset of card |
The procedure can be adjusted by setting the following parameters.
| Name | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| showQuitButton | True = the script presents a convenient 'quit' button in the form of a gray X at the top of the screen. Once pressed, the script terminates. false = no quit button is presented | true |
| ruleReminderPre | True = participants get reminded of the rules before each PRE trial false = no rule reminders are given for the PRE trials | false |
| ruleReminderPost | True = participants get reminded of the rules before each POST trial false = no rule reminders are given for the POST trials | false |
| showConditionPrompts | True = when the cards are shown, they are accompanied by a description that contains the color/shape prompt Example: "Here is a red one, where does it go?" or "Here is a bunny, where does it go?" false = when the cards are shown, no additional descriptions are presented | false |
| showGameTitleDuringTest | True = the game title ('Color Game' vs. 'Shape Game') is presented during the TEST trials false = the game title ('Color Game' vs. 'Shape Game') is NOT presented during the TEST trials | false |
| maxNumberPracticeAttempts | The number of practice attempts for the first game If participant does not get both practice trials correct after 3rd attempt the script will terminate prematurely | 3 |
| numberOfTestTrials | The number of trials to run during the pre and post shift test | 6 |
| dccsStandardPass | Participant needs to get 80% of the game test trials correct to move to next phase | 0.80 |
Duration Parameter |
||
| iti | The intertrial interval (in ms) btw. test trials | 500 |