1. An investigation of the motor aspects of the task
The Effects of Space and Time interactions on The Corsi Block Tapping Test:
An investigation of the motor aspects of the task
Clarissa Cavallina1, Claudia del Gatto2, Riccardo Brunetti2
1. Department of Human and Educational Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
2. Department of Human Sciences, Università Europea di Roma, Rome, Italy
BACKGROUND
AIMS
The Corsi Block Tapping Test (CBTT) is a powerful experimental tool extendedly used to assess Visuo-Spatial Working Memory. The complexity of the task together with the lack of standardization that characterize the CBTT makes the understanding of which cognitive abilities are involved in the execution of it still unclear. In particular, little attention has been given to the motor aspects of the task.
The specific aspect we focused on is the investigation of the effects of the spatio-temporal characteristics of sequence presentation in shaping the performance during sequence reproduction.
METHOD
Experiment 1
A digital version of the CBTT for tablets named eCorsi has been used. During the sequence presentation three timing manipulations were used.
ISOCHRONOUS CONDITION
INCONGRUENT CONDITION
CONGRUENT CONDITION
The timing always corresponded to 1 s
The timing never reflected the spatial configuration of the blocks
The spatial distance between the blocks and the interstimulus interval during sequence presentation followed a proportional relation.
Experiment 2
During the sequence presentation blocks were presented at an isochronous timing.
PATH CONDITION
NO-PATH CONDITION
Each block was presented together with a strajght line that connected the block with the consecutive one making the sequence’s path visible.
Each block was presented without showing the sequence’s path.
RESULTS
PROPOTION CORRECT
Experiment 1
REACTION TIME
Forward PC
Forward ms
Backward
Backward
Isochronous
Isochronous
Congruent
Congruent
Incongruent
Incongruent
PROPOTION CORRECT
REACTION TIME
Experiment 2
No-Path
No-Path
Path PC ms
Path
Forward
Backward
Forward
Backward
CONCLUSIONS
REFERENCES
We suggest that the sequence’s movement characteristics, both the timing manipulation in the Congruent Condition (Exp.1) and the visibility of the path in the Path Condition (Exp.2) facilitated the performance because of their similarity with the motor response.
Brunetti, R., Del Gatto, C., Delogu, F. (2014). eCorsi: implementation and testing of the Corsi block tapping task for digital tablets. Frontiers in Psychology, 5: 939.
Corsi, P., M. (1972). Human memory and temporal region of the brain. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, McGill University, Motreal, Canada.
Logie, R., H. (1995). Visuo-spatial working memory. Hove, Sussex: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Ltd.