CORSI

Please note that this product can only be administered if you have a valid Vienna Test System administration software license for VTS online or a local VTS version 8.0.00 or higher.

Field of Application+

Detailed Description+

Measures the storage capacity of spatial working memory.

The Block-Tapping Test is regarded as the gold standard for testing spatial memory span. For many years, the validity of this test has been repeatedly confirmed in the neuropsychological literature, and it has been widely used in clinical contexts. It is often used in developmental psychology because it has proved to be a good predictor of the development of cognitive functions and is able to identify specific differences between the block span forward and backward. It is also used in drawing up professional opinions on medical conditions.

Test forms+

The test forms for adults and those for children differ in their starting sequence. Children begin with a sequence of two cubes and adults with a sequence of three.

• S1/S2: for adults/children – spatial memory span forward
• S3/S4: for adults/children – spatial memory span forward and learning process of spatial working memory (supra-block span)
• S5/S6: for adults/children – spatial memory span backward
• S7: geriatric test form – spatial memory span backward

Task+

Respondents see nine irregularly arranged cubes. They watch a cursor that touches a certain number of cubes in turn. At the end of this sequence a signal sounds; the respondent must now repeat the given sequence either forwards or backwards, depending on the test form. The length of the sequence increases after every third item until the maximum of eight cubes is reached.
To test learning in spatial working memory, in two test forms (S3/S4) the spatial memory span is first identified. On the basis of this a target sequence is defined that is one longer than the memory span previously achieved.

Dimensions+

Languages+

Duration+

approx. 10-15 minutes, depending on test form

Age+

Norms for ages 8.

Test administration+