Adaptive N‑Back
Frequently Asked Questions
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Overview
N adapts based on accuracy to track performance under escalating load.
How to operate
In each sequence, decide whether the current item matches the one N steps back. The app adjusts N according to performance.
Outputs
Accuracy, RT, and aggregate performance per N level.
Show Details
About the N‑Back Task
Historical Background
The N‑Back task was developed in the 1950s as a measure of working memory and has since become one of the most widely used paradigms in cognitive neuroscience. Its adaptability allows researchers to precisely calibrate task difficulty to individual ability levels.
Neuroscience Basis
Research using fMRI has shown that the N‑Back task engages the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, a brain region critical for working memory operations, as well as parietal regions involved in attention and episodic memory retrieval.
References
- Jaeggi, S. M., Buschkuehl, M., Jonides, J., & Perrig, W. J. (2008). Improving fluid intelligence with training on working memory. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 105(19), 6829-6833. 10.1073/pnas.0801268105
- Kirchner, W. K. (1958). Age differences in short-term retention of rapidly changing information. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 55(4), 352-358.
- Melby-Lervåg, M., & Hulme, C. (2013). Is working memory training effective? A meta-analytic review. Developmental Psychology, 49(2), 270-291. 10.1037/a0028228
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Digit Span Test (DST)
FeaturedMeasures short-term verbal memory by recalling digit sequences in forward and backward order.
About This Experiment
This experiment is an educational adaptation for demonstration purposes. It is not a clinical diagnostic tool. Results reflect your performance in this specific session and should not be interpreted as an assessment of your cognitive abilities.
Data Privacy
Your experiment data is processed and stored locally in your browser. No data is uploaded to any server unless you explicitly export it.
