20 Imitation Based Assessment of Memory

Attachment 20
Flanker

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Name of test: Flanker
Estimated time burden: 5 minutes
Estimated number of items: up to 48

Materials:
Laptop
Monitor
Response device1
Description:
The Flanker task was developed based on work by Rueda and colleagues
(2004) and provides a measure of inhibitory control and attention. The Flanker
requires the participant to focus on a given stimulus while inhibiting attention to
stimuli flanking it. In this version of the task, younger participants see a picture of
a fish flanked by two other fish on either side. On congruent trials, all the fish are
pointing in the same direction. On the incongruent trials, the flanker fish are
pointing in the opposite direction of the central fish. Congruent and incongruent
trials are intermixed in the block of standard trials. The word middle appears on
the screen and a prerecorded voice (ages 3-11 only) says "MIDDLE" to remind
participants to focus on the MIDDLE stimulus. Older participants (8-85 years) are
presented with arrows in place of fish. Participants are instructed to choose one
of two “buttons” on the screen that corresponds to the direction in which the
MIDDLE fish or arrow is pointing.
All the instructions are on the screen. The examiner reads them to
and/or with the participant and points out the relevant aspects of the
stimuli on the screen.

Practice Trials:
For all participants, there are four practice trials. If the participant responds
incorrectly, the examiner prompts him/her to choose the correct button. If the
participant does not respond after 5 seconds, prompt him/her to do so by
saying, “Choose one of the buttons.”
The participant must get at least 3 out of 4 practice trials correct to advance to
the test trials. If a participant gets fewer than 3 out of 4 practice trials correct,
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 2 1/2 hours per response, including
the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Send
comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions
for reducing this burden to: NIH, Project Clearance Branch, 6705 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7974, Bethesda, MD
20892-7974, ATTN: PRA (0925-xxxx*) EXP: (xx/xxxx). Do not return the completed form to this address.

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he/she will complete a second set of 4 practice trials, with the same criterion
required to advance to the test trials. If the participant does not meet the
criterion, the task will automatically terminate (i.e., will advance to the final
screen).
There is one block of 20 test trials for all participants. If a participant age 3-7
achieves 90 percent correct on the fish trials, he/she will also receive a set of 20
arrow trials.
The table below outlines the item content and the actions for the examiner:

Ages 3-7
PRACTICE
Introduction

Participant’s screen written content
Here is a Fish!
This is the TAIL -> [fish] <- This is the MOUTH
The fish is pointing this way, the same way the
fish is swimming.

Here the MIDDLE fish is circled. Can you point
to the MIDDLE fish?

Where is the MIDDLE fish here?

Look at all the fish!!! The fish in the MIDDLE is
hungry.
To feed the MIDDLE fish, choose the button
that matches the way the MIDDLE fish is
pointing.
If the MIDDLE fish is pointing this way, choose
this button.
If the MIDDLE fish is pointing this way, choose
that button.
Sometimes all the fish face the same way.
Sometimes the MIDDLE fish faces a different
way from his friends, like this: [picture of
incongruent fish]
You should always choose the button that

Examiner Action
Examiner points to
the participant’s
screen and then
clicks CONTINUE on
the examiner’s
screen.
Child points and
examiner clicks
CONTINUE on the
examiner’s screen.
Child points and
examiner clicks
CONTINUE on the
examiner’s screen.
Examiner clicks
CONTINUE.
Examiner
demonstrates using
the index finger with
the response device.
Examiner
demonstrates
response device.
Examiner
demonstrates
response device.
Examiner points and
then chooses button.

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Ages 3-7

Participant’s screen written content
matches the way the MIDDLE fish is pointing.
You will hear and see the word MIDDLE to
remind you.
Here the MIDDLE fish is pointing this way, so I’ll
choose this button.
Here the MIDDLE fish is pointing this way, so I’ll
choose this button.
Transition to
Now you try.
practice items Keep your eyes on the star.
Answer as fast as you can without making
mistakes.
If you make a mistake, just keep going.
4 practice items for the participant
More
Let’s practice some more. If the MIDDLE fish is
practice, if
pointing this way, choose this button.
needed.
If the MIDDLE fish is pointing this way, choose
that button.
Transition to
Now you try.
more
Keep your eyes on the star.
practice items Answer as fast as you can without making
mistakes.
If you make a mistake, just keep going.
More
4 practice items for the participant
practice
Test Items
Now you’re ready to do this without me.
transition
Keep your eyes on the star.
Answer as fast as you can without making
mistakes.
If you make a mistake, just keep going.
Test items
20 items (fish)
Introduction
Now you will do the same thing, but you will
to additional
see arrows instead of fish.
test items if
Keep your eyes on the star.
90% success
Answer as fast as you can without making
on fish
mistakes.
If you make a mistake, just keep going.
Additional
20 test items (arrows)
test items
Ages 8-85
PRACTICE
Introduction

Participant screen written content
In this task, you will see a row of arrows. You
should choose the button that matches the
way the MIDDLE arrow is pointing.

Examiner Action

Examiner points and
then chooses button.
Examiner points and
then chooses button.
Examiner clicks
CONTINUE on
examiner screen.

Examiner points and
then chooses button.
Examiner points and
then chooses button.
Examiner clicks
CONTINUE on
examiner screen.

Examiner clicks
CONTINUE on
examiner screen.

Examiner clicks
CONTINUE on
examiner screen.

Examiner Action
Examiner points to
left arrow on the
participant’s screen
and demonstrates
the use of index

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If the MIDDLE arrow is pointing this way,
choose this button
If the MIDDLE arrow is pointing this way,
choose that button
Sometimes all the arrows face or point the
same way. Sometimes the MIDDLE arrow
faces or points a different way, like this
[picture of incongruent arrows] You should
always choose the button that matches the
way the MIDDLE arrow is pointing. You will see
the word MIDDLE to remind you.
Transition to
Now you try.
practice items Keep your eyes on the star.
Answer as fast as you can without making
mistakes.
If you make a mistake, just keep going.
4 practice items
More
Let’s practice some more. If the MIDDLE
practice, if
arrow is pointing this way, choose this button.
needed
If the MIDDLE arrow is pointing this way,
choose that button.
Transition to
Now you try.
more
Keep your eyes on the star.
practice items Answer as fast as you can without making
mistakes.
If you make a mistake, just keep going.
4 practice items
Test Items
Now you’re ready to do this without me.
Introduction
Keep your eyes on the star.
Answer as fast as you can without making
mistakes.
If you make a mistake, just keep going.
Test items
20 items (arrows)

Sample screenshot (fish):

finger to choose the
correct arrow.
Examiner
demonstrates
response device.
Examiner
demonstrates
response device.
Examiner
demonstrates
response device.

Examiner clicks
CONTINUE on
examiner screen.

Examiner
demonstrates
response device.
Examiner
demonstrates
response device.
Examiner clicks
CONTINUE on
examiner screen.

Examiner clicks
CONTINUE on
examiner screen.

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