The Box Task

Authors: Roy P. C. Kessels & Albert Postma
Updated: Fri 15 September 2017
Source: https://roykessels.nl/tests-and-software/box-task
Type: software
Languages: English, Dutch
Keywords: working-memorypsychologyexperimentEnglishDutch
Open Access: yes
License:
Documentation: http://boxtask.roykessels.nl/InstallInstructions.pdf
Publications: Kessels, R.P.C., Postma, A. (2018). The Box Task: A tool to design experiments for assessing visuospatial working memory. Behavior Research Methods. 50, 1981–1987. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-017-0966-7
Citation: Kessels, R.P.C., Postma, A. (2017). The Box Task. https://roykessels.nl/tests-and-software/box-task
Summary:

Hidden objects have to be searched by opening closed boxes that are shown at different locations on the computer screen. The set size (i.e., number of to be searched boxes) can be varied and different error scores can be computed that are argued to measure specific working memory processes (i.e., the number of within-search and between-search errors). The Box Task also has a developer’s mode in which new stimulus displays can be designed for use in tailored experiments. The Box Task also comes with a standard set of stimulus displays (including practice trials, as well as stimulus displays with 4, 6 and 8 boxes) for which reference data can be used (based on the performance of 185 healthy individuals). The raw data can be analyzed easily and the results of different participant can be aggregated into one spreadsheet for further statistical analyses.