Online training with the N-back test to improve short-term memory
- 4579
- 1464
- John Von
We present the n-back test that you can perform on this same page, and that will allow you to train and improve short-term memory.
Content
Toggle- What is working or short -term memory
- What is the cognitive improvement N-back test
- Instructions to perform the N-back test
- What benefits the N-back test contributes
What is working or short -term memory
Short -term memory, also known as short -term memory or immediate memory, is a temporary and limited storage system in which information is retained for a short period of time, usually in the range of seconds to a minute.
Short -term memory is responsible for retaining small amounts of information while processed and used in cognitive tasks, such as reasoning, language understanding and learning.
The short -term memory capacity is limited, and it is estimated to retain around 7 information elements, more or less 2, according to the well -known rule of "7 ± 2" proposed by George to. Miller in 1956. However, more recent studies suggest that this number can be lower, in the range of 4 to 5 elements.
Information stored in short -term memory can be lost quickly due to the interference of other stimuli or to the natural fading of the information over time, however, through the consolidation process, part of the information in the short -term memory can be transferred to the long -term memory, where it is stored more durable and can be recovered later.
What is the cognitive improvement N-back test
The N-back test is a cognitive task used to evaluate and train working memory which was proposed by Wayne Kirchner in 1958 and that has been widely used in studies of cognitive neuroscience and psychology.
In the N-back test, participants must remember a sequence of stimuli (for example, letters, numbers or images) that are presented to regular intervals. The task is to determine whether the current stimulus coincides with the stimulus presented "n" positions back in the sequence, where "n" is a pre -established integer (for example, 1, 2, 3, etc.). The difficulty of the task increases with the value of "N", since it requires more working memory capacity to remember and compare the stimuli.
N-back tests can vary in terms of the modality of stimuli (auditory or visual), the duration of the presentation of stimuli, and the interval between them. In addition, they can be adapted to measure different aspects of working memory, such as space memory, using stimuli in different locations instead of different letters or numbers.
Short -term memory test
Instructions to perform the N-back test
The test that we present in psychoactive is faithful to the original experiment where stimuli are literacy characters shown in 2 -minute sessions.
Select the "N" level and press the "Start" button to start the test. Black lyrics will be displayed for a short time period of half a second, after which, the letter disappears and replaced by a gray blade that is shown for 2 seconds. Each execution shows a total of 48 letters, so The duration of each test is 2 minutes.
In the modality with n = 0, which is the simplest of all, we must simply locate the objective letter, which is the "X". When the letter "X" appears on screen, we must press the "Reply" button.
In mode n = 1, the goal is to press the "answer" button when the lyrics that appear is the same that appeared just before. That is, if two equal consecutive letters appear, we have to press the "Reply" button.
In the rest of the modalities, n = 2, 3, 4 or 5, we will have to press the button if the letter that appeared 2, 3, 4 or 5 positions before respectively, coincides with the one we are currently seeing.
Obviously as the value of "N" increases the difficulty of the test is increased since we have to remember the last 2, 3, 4 or 5 letters.
At the end of the test, the result is shown at the bottom with the successes, failures and omissions. The results accumulate, so you can see your progress.
The time during which the lyrics and the blade are visible, it is the time you have to decide whether you have to press the "answer" button. -
N = 0 n = 1 n = 2 n = 3 n = 4 n = 5 start answering
| Departure | N | Successes | Failures | Omissions |
What benefits the N-back test contributes
N-back test is a very useful tool for training and evaluating short-term memory and working memory. Some of the benefits of the N-back test are the following:- Short -term memory improvement: Perform the N-back test regularly help improve the ability to retain and recover information in short-term memory. This is because the task requires maintaining an active record of the stimuli presented and constantly updating that information as new stimuli are presented.
- Work memory training: The N-back test also helps to train working memory, which is closely related to short-term memory. Improving working memory can have positive effects on cognitive skills such as reasoning, problem solving and language understanding.
- Improvements in attention and concentration: The N-back test also helps improve attention and concentration skills as it requires that participants focus on the task and maintain attention on stimuli throughout the test. Sustained attention is crucial to retain and process information in short -term memory.
- Power cognitive flexibility: N-back test also helps improve cognitive flexibility, which is the ability to adapt and change a type of thought or focus to another quickly and efficiently. Since the N-back test can vary in difficulty and in the type of stimuli used, participants must constantly adjust their memory and processing strategies.
- Transfer to other cognitive skills: Some studies suggest that training with N-back test can have positive effects on other cognitive skills, such as abstract reasoning and fluid intelligence.
- Research applications: The N-back test is a useful tool in cognitive neuroscience and psychology research. It is used to study short -term memory and working memory, as well as to investigate how these skills are related to other cognitive and neuropsychiatric functions. It is also used in intervention studies to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments or therapies aimed at improving memory and cognitive function in clinical populations, as in patients with care deficit disorder and hyperactivity (ADHD), schizophrenia, mild cognitive deterioration or disease of Alzheimer's.