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Match-to-sample task

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Match-to-Sample Task

Short-term memory for learned associations has been studied using the Match-to-Sample Task (and the related Delayed Match-To-Sample Task, and Non-match to sample task). The general versions of the task ask a participant to first encode a stimulus (often a light of a particular color, or a visual pattern), and later make a forced-choice response among options where one corresponds to that stimulus. The correct response options typically, but not always, corresponds directly in some way to the stimulus (i.e., its color is the same).

Screen shot of a computerized Match to sample task. The participant originally saw one of the two patterns, and after a delay was asked to choose which of the two was originally shown.

Historical Background

Match to Sample tasks were developed in the during the era of Behaviorism, and were described by, among others, B.F. Skinner[1][2][3] In its early form[3] A pigeon would be presented with a colored light stimulus sample. It would then proceed to peck the sample and then be presented with two comparison stimuli. One comparison stimulus matches the sample (either because it is an identical color, or because the animal has learned an association such as green means left) and the other does not match. If it chooses (pecks) the matching comparison, then it is rewarded.[4]

A more complex version of the task has formed the basis for human-centered cognitive test batteries since the 1980s [5][6] This version of the task involves a 4X4 matrix pattern filled that is filled with yellow and red squares. Participants are alloted a specific amount of time to study the first pattern that appears on the screen. After the first pattern disappears, it is then replaced by a pair of matrices. One of these is the same as the previously viewed stimulus and one differs by one or more cells of the matrix. The participant then indicats which of the two was the presented Stimulus. One trial of this tasks takes approximately 5–10 seconds.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The strengths of this study are that participants have a limited time to think, so if they are more aware/alert, they should receive a higher score. It has also been hypothesized to be impacted by Alertness but resilient to Practice. A Weakness of this study is that participants all have differing times that they are alert throughout the day (old people vs. young people).

Match-to-sample tasks and Sleep Deprivation

The match-to-sample task has been shown to be an effective tool to understand the impact of sleep deprivation on short-term memory.One research study [7] compared performance on a traditional sequential test battery with that on a synthetic work task requiring subjects to work concurrently on several tasks, testing subjects every three hours during 64 hrs of Sleep deprivation. Similarly, another study [8] used an event-related Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the Neural networks underlying the encoding, maintenance, and retrieval phase in the task. This test was used to discover the reduction in pattern expressions with sleep deprivation for each subject and how it related to the change in performance on the delayed-match-to-sample task. It also expanded the prefrontal areas regarding Working memory and revealed substantial individual differences in performance. The test also reproduced findings of other working memory studies which demonstrated interactions between PFC and other parts of the brain.

References

  1. ^ Skinner, B. F. (1950). Are theories of learning necessary? Psychological Review, 57, 193-216.
  2. ^ Blough D S.. Delayed matching in the pigeon. J Exp Anal Behav. 1959 Apr;2:151–160.
  3. ^ a b C. B. Ferster (1960) Intermittent reinforcment of matching to sample in the pigeon. J Exp Anal Behav. 1960 July; 3(3): 259–272. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1404017/
  4. ^ ("Models of Learning and Performance." Dr. Robert Cook's Homepage | Department of Psychology, Tufts University. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2012. <http://www.pigeon.psy.tufts.edu/avc/wright/.
  5. ^ Englund, C. E., Reeves, D. L., Shingledecker, C. A., Thorne, D. R., & Wilson, K. P. (1987). Unified Tri-Service Cognitive Performance Assessment Battery (UTC-PAB). 1. Design and Specification of the Battery. Retrieved from http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA182480
  6. ^ Perez, W. A., Masline, P. J., Ramsey, E. G., & Urban, K. E. (1987). Unified Tri-Services Cognitive Performance Assessment Battery: Review and Methodology. Retrieved from http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA181697
  7. ^ Elsmore, T. F. (1995). A comparison of the effects of sleep deprivation on synthetic work performance and a conventional performance assessment battery. San Diego, Calif.: Naval Health Research Center.
  8. ^ Habeck C, Rakitin BC, Moeller J, Scarmeas N, Zarahn E, Brown T, Stern Y. (2005). Brain research. Cognitive brain research
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