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*Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS)*
(Standard Version)
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Script Author: Katja Borchert, Ph.D. (katjab@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC
Date: 11-04-2021
last updated: 10-09-2024 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC
Script Copyright © 10-09-2024 Millisecond Software
Millisecond Software thanks Samantha Gualtieri for her help with this script!
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BACKGROUND INFO
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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.
Reference
Zelazo, P.D. (2006). The Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS): a method of assessing executive function in children.
Nature Protocols, 1, pp. 297+.
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TASK DESCRIPTION
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Standard Version (this script): Blocked Conditions (color and shape trials are played in blocks)
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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.
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Advanced Version (formerly: Border Version; Inquisit script dccs_advanced.iqjs): Mixed Trials
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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.
Notes:
* 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.
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DURATION
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Standard Version (separate color and shape sorting blocks): takes appr. 5 minutes to complete
Advanced Version (mixed color and shape sorting blocks): takes appr. 5 minutes to complete
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DATA OUTPUT DICTIONARY
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The fields in the data files are:
(1) Raw data file: 'dccs_standard_raw*.iqdat' (a separate file for each participant)*
build: The specific Inquisit version used (the 'build') that was run
computer.platform: the platform the script was run on (win/mac/ios/android)
date, time: date and time script was run
subject, group: with the current subject/groupnumber
session: with the current session id
blockCode, blockNum: the name and number of the current block (built-in Inquisit variable)
trialCode, trialNum: the name and number of the currently recorded trial (built-in Inquisit variable)
Note: 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) (Note: 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
(2) Summary data file: 'dccs_standard_summary*.iqdat' (a separate file for each participant)*
inquisit.version: Inquisit version run
computer.platform: the platform the script was run on (win/mac/ios/android)
startDate: date script was run
startTime: time script was started
subjectId: assigned subject id number
groupId: assigned group id number
sessionId: assigned session id number
elapsedTime: time it took to run script (in ms); measured from onset to offset of script
completed: 0 = script was not completed (prematurely aborted);
1 = script was completed (all conditions run)
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 data:
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
* separate data files: to change to one data file for all participants (on Inquisit Lab only), go to section
"DATA" and follow further instructions
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EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP
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Standard Version:
Participants start with either a demo of the COLOR game or a demo of the SHAPE game.
The start game is counterbalanced by groupnumber assignment.
Group 1: starts with the COLOR game
Group 2: starts with the SHAPE game
1. DEMO:
The rules of the games are explained using 2 examples
2. PRACTICE:
Participant has to sort 2 cards - only if both cards are sorted correctedly, does
participant move on to the test phase.
If participant fails 3 times in a row (see Editable Parameters), the script
terminates prematurely.
Feedback is provided during practice.
3. PRE (switch) - Test:
Participants work through 6 trials (see Editable parameters)
of the current game. By default, the rules of the current game are not
explained again before each trial (go to Editable Parameters to change this default setting).
No performance feedback is provided.
After 6 trials the rules change and the other game is played.
(if started with the COLOR game, participants are now switched to the SHAPE game and vice versa)
4. DEMO 2nd game
5. PRACTICE 2nd game
6. POST (switch):
Participants work through 6 trials of the post-switch game.
By default, the rules of the current game are NOT explained again before each trial
(go to Editable Parameters to change this default setting). No performance feedback is provided.
The script ends after 6 post trials.
Participants 'pass' the DCCS if they respond correctly to at least 5 out of the 6 POST trials.
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STIMULI
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provided by Millisecond Software - 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.
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INSTRUCTIONS
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based on instructions suggested by Zelazo (2006).
The script currently presents the instructions as text instructions only
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EDITABLE CODE
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check below for (relatively) easily editable parameters, stimuli, instructions etc.
Keep in mind that you can use this script as a template and therefore always "mess" with the entire code
to further customize your experiment.
The parameters you can change are:
/ showQuitButton = true //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
/ ruleReminderPre = false //true = participants get reminded of the rules before each PRE trial
//false = no rule reminders are given for the PRE trials
/ ruleReminderPost = false //true = participants get reminded of the rules before each POST trial
//false = no rule reminders are given for the POST trials
/ showConditionPrompts = false //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
/ showGameTitleDuringTest = false //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
/ maxNumberPracticeAttempts = 3 //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
/ numberOfTestTrials = 6 //the number of trials to run during the pre and post shift test
/ dccsStandardPass = 0.80 //participant needs to get 80% of the game test trials correct to move to next phase
//duration parameter
/ iti = 500 //the intertrial interval (in ms) btw. test trials
