ALAKA RAJEEV
1930317
CORSI
Method
Aim
To assess the visuo-spatial working memory span of the subject using Corsi block
tapping test.
Plan
Administer the computerized Corsi Block Tapping Test through PEBL to the subject.
Calculate the total score of the subject on the test.
Materials
1. Corsi block tapping test (Computerized test, PEBL, Mueller, 2011). The Corsi's test
measures visuo-spatial short-term memory. In this task, nine identical small white cubes (side
4 cm) are presented irregularly over a screen. Blocks on the screen are lit up, and the subject
must reproduce the order they are lit in. The test begins with a sequence of two units and, if
the subject succeeds, increasingly long sequences are presented. Each time a maximum of
five equal-unit sequences is tapped out. The test ends when a subject reproduces five
sequences of the same length incorrectly. The sequences used are from 2 to 9 digits for a total
of 40 items (Orsini et al., 1987).
Procedure
The subject is seated comfortably. Rapport has to be established. The following
subject details are recorded: name (initials), age, sex and education. After the basic
orientation about the test, the subject will be asked to replicate the order in which square
boxes lit. Working memory span has to be calculated based on the number of correct
responses by the subject. Scores of the subject will be compared with the group scores to
understand relative position of the subject among the group.
Instructions
The following instruction has to be given to the subject.
“You are about to take part in a test that measures your ability to remember a
sequence of locations on the screen. You will see nine blue squares on the screen. On each
trial, the squares will be lit up one at a time in sequence. Remember the sequence. When the
sequence is finished, you need to click on each square in the same order they were given.
When you are done, click the button labeled ‘done’. You will first perform three practice
trials to become familiar with the test.”
Controls/Precautions
Extraneous variables are to be controlled during the experiment.
Subject should be given some practice sessions to use mouse/keyboard of the
computer
Analysis of results
Corsi's test score is the number of items correctly reproduced. The data is captured in the
data sheet in PEBL.
Norm table for interpretation:
Score Interpretation
Below 5 low
5 to 8 Average
9 and above High
Results and Discussion
The current experiment was conducted to test the visuo-spatial working memory span of the
subject by using the Corsi Block tapping test. The Corsi test was developed by Philip Corsi in
1972. In the present study, PEBL programme is used to test the working memory span of the
subject using the block tapping task. An 18-year-old female undergraduate student from a
metropolitan city took part in this study who will be referred as to as A R from now onwards.
Table 1 provides the memory span of the subject assessed through the task and the
interpretation of the same.
Table 1
Subject’s visual spatial memory span
Name Memory Span Interpretation
AR 6 Average
The result table - Table 1 highlights the memory span of the subject obtained after the
completion of the corsi task and the interpretation of the memory span score by using the
norm table provided above. AR has an average score of 6 in the Corsi Block tapping task
which denotes that the subject’s visuospatial working memory span capacity is average.
The results of the Corsi test can be further used by psychologists to investigate memory
related deficits- it’s often used on patients diagnosed with dementia, mental retardation,
learning disability, Korsakoff and other such neurological problems. The Corsi task is also
applicable in investigations of nonverbal short-term memory, gender differences, and
developmental changes (Capitani et al. 1991; Isaacs & Vargha-Khadem, 1989; Orsini et al.
1986).
Conclusion
The visual-spatial working memory span of the subject is average.
References
Corsi Block Test. [Link]
Corsi task. [Link]
