A computational approach to the N-back task.

ABSTRACT: The N-back task is one of the most popular paradigms for studying the cognitive mechanisms of working memory (WM). The task requires the observer to view a sequence of stimuli and judge whether the current stimulus (probe) matches the one presented N stimuli ago (target). A key phenomenon is that the intervening stimuli (distractors) interfere with task performance. Unfortunately, the classic N-back task uses complex categorical stimuli, making it unfit to quantify the effect of feature similarity on interference strength. Here, we introduce the "analog N-back task", which utilizes stimuli varying continuously in orientation or color. This task variant enables us to measure interference strength on a continuum, providing data suitable for identifying the sources of interference using compu

SUBMITTER: Ni L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11618482 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature