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. https://conductscience.com/portfolio/corsi-block-test/. 

Corsi task. https://www.psytoolkit.org/experiment-library/corsi.html.