Plus-Minus Task
Description
A set-shifting task where participants add, subtract, and alternate between adding and subtracting a number from two-digit stimuli.
Measures: Executive function, set shifting, cognitive flexibility
Executive Function Processing Speed
About This Test
Participants complete three blocks of mental arithmetic. In the first block, they add a constant (default 3) to each number. In the second block, they subtract it. In the third block, they alternate between adding and subtracting on successive trials. The switch cost (difference between alternating and pure blocks) measures executive function and cognitive flexibility.
Test Details
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Scientific Background
Original Task References:
These references describe the original task that this PEBL implementation is based on.
- Jersild, A. T. (1927). Mental set and shift. Archives of Psychology, 89, 5-82.
- Miyake, A., Friedman, N. P., Emerson, M. J., Witzki, A. H., Howerter, A., & Wager, T. D. (2000). The unity and diversity of executive functions and their contributions to complex 'frontal lobe' tasks: A latent variable analysis. Cognitive Psychology, 41(1), 49-100.
PEBL-Specific References:
These studies used the PEBL version of this task.
- Mueller, S. T. (2011). The PEBL Plus-Minus Task. Computer software retrieved from http://pebl.sf.net/battery.html
Data Output
Trial-by-trial data across three blocks (addition, subtraction, switch) with typed responses and accuracy.
plusminus-{subnum}.csv
Data Columns
| Column Name | Description |
|---|---|
| sub | Participant ID |
| block | Block type: A (addition), S (subtraction), SW (switch/alternating) |
| trial | Trial number within the current block |
| value | The two-digit stimulus number presented |
| addend | The operation and value applied (e.g., +3 or -3) |
| corranswer | The typed response from the participant |
| answer | The correct answer |
| correct | Whether the response was correct (1) or incorrect (0) |
| corrcount | Cumulative correct count within the block |
| abstime | Absolute timestamp in milliseconds from the start of the test |
| rt | Response time in milliseconds from stimulus onset to Enter key |
About This Test
A set-shifting task where participants add, subtract, and alternate between adding and subtracting a number from two-digit stimuli.
Category: Executive Function
Estimated Duration: 10 minutes
Available Translations: 7 languages
Documentation Status: Complete