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Field of Application+
Staff & Management Assessments
Job & Career Placement
Safety & Security Assessment
Academic Testing
Detailed Description+
Measures subfunctions of attention.
These subfunctions measure alertness, vigilance & sustained attention, focused attention, divided attention, selective attention, spatial attention & neglect, smooth pursuit eye movements, and visual scanning.
Long and short forms are available for the subtests which make it possible to measure dimensions of attention under different presentation modalities. There are thus WAF subtests for visual, auditory, or cross-modal test presentations. In some subtests of the WAF test battery automated and controlled (top-down) aspects of attention are also measured separately; the stimuli either become more prominent because the intensity level is increased ("popping out"), or they become less prominent. Both attention processes are relevant in everyday life; both can interact and both can be selectively impaired, for example as a result of brain damage, since they are based on different cerebral networks.
Attention performances are important for the successful handling of the tasks that the individual encounters in daily life. They are not independent of other skills but are a constituent of many processes of perception, memory, planning and acting, spatial orientation and problem-solving. Attention functions are thus basic skills that are required in almost every practical or intellectual activity. Many neurological and psychological disorders and diseases have an adverse effect on different aspects of attention performance. The WAF tests, which are model and guideline compliant (GNP), are therefore used mainly in the context of clinical neuropsychological investigations since they provide both a global and a differentiated assessment of an individual’s strengths and weaknesses. They are also used for personnel selection (especially in the field of manufacturing & safety assessments) and for traffic psychological investigations.
Test forms+
For each of the dimensions different test forms are available, enabling dimensions of attention to be assessed in different presentation modalities (visual, auditory, and cross-modal).
Overall, 42 subtests are available which can be presented independently or in any combination thanks to the expanded options of the WAF Wizard.
Predefined standard tests, depending on the investigations, offer a fast/simple possibility for screening, obtaining a general overview, or for testing with different presentation modalities, for different neuropsychological disorders, or for children.
Alertness (WAFA)
There is a standard form and a short form for every subtest.
Subtests: Intrinsic (visual, auditory), phasic (unimodal visual, unimodal auditory, cross-modal visual, cross-modal auditory).
Vigilance & sustained attention (WAFV)
There is a standard form and a short form for every subtest.
Subtest: Vigilance (visual, auditory), sustained attention (visual, auditory). The short forms for sustained attention have been developed especially for children and young people.
Focused attention
Subtests: Unimodal (visual, auditory), cross-modal (visual/auditory).
Divided attention
There is a standard form and a short form for every subtest.
Subtests: Unimodal (visual), cross-modal (visual/auditory).
Spatial Attention & Neglect
Subtests: Controlled or automated spatial shift of attention. An additional test checks neglect under extinction conditions.
Selective attention
Subtests: Unimodal (visual, auditory), cross-modal (visual/auditory).
Smooth pursuit eye movements
Standard form and short form.
Visual scanning
Standard form and short form.
Task+
Alertness (WAFA).
The respondent reacts to a simple visual or auditory stimulus. Cues are given in the same stimulus modality or a different one (intrinsic vs. phasic alertness). Fatigue and resilience parameters can be measured thanks to special norming.
Vigilance & sustained attention (WAFV).
The respondent reacts as soon as he/she notices an intensity change in a black square on the screen or in a tone.
Focused attention.
Depending on the subtest, the respondent is required to focus simultaneously on two different geometric figures, on a sound in a babble of voices or on one visual and one auditory stimulus. At certain intervals the stimuli change their position and intensity. The respondent reacts as soon as the defined stimulus becomes either lighter or softer twice in succession.
Divided attention.
Depending on the subtest, the respondent is required to focus simultaneously on two different geometric figures or on one figure and one auditory stimulus. At certain intervals the stimuli change their intensity. The respondent reacts as soon as one of the two stimuli becomes either lighter or softer twice in succession.
Selective attention.
The respondent receives various geometric and/or auditory stimuli. He/She reacts to intensity changes in predefined relevant conditions.
Spatial attention & neglect.
The spatial orienting of attention is measured using four spatial positions in a task similar to a Posner paradigm. The respondent reacts to peripheral (exogenous) and central (endogenous) spatial cues.
In the neglect test, the respondent reacts to stimuli presented at various positions in the right or left visual field or simultaneously in equivalent positions in both halves of the field of vision (extinction condition).
Smooth pursuit eye movements.
The respondent tracks with his eyes a circle that is moving across the screen and reacts as soon as the circle becomes brighter.
Visual scanning.
The respondent searches a 6x6 matrix of similar visual stimuli and decides respectively whether a previously defined stimulus is contained in it or not.
Dimensions+
Languages+
Duration+
Alertness: Between 2 and 5 minutes, depending on the subtest.
Vigilance and sustained attention: Between 18 and 32 minutes per subtest.
Focused attention: Approx. 10 minutes per subtest.
Divided attention: Between 6 and 15 minutes per subtest.
Selective attention: Approx. 8 minutes per subtest.
Spatial attention & neglect: Between 6 and 12 minutes per subtest.
Smooth pursuit eye movements: Between 3 and 5 minutes per subtest.
Visual scanning: Between 7 and 15 minutes per subtest.
Age+
Norms for ages 7+.
Test administration+
