Quiz 4 - Digit Span Flashcards
The Digit Span test, as a whole, is a measure of:
a. Episodic memory
b. Auditory attention and short-term verbal recall
c. Working memory only
d. Short-term memory and number knowledge
b. Auditory attention and short-term verbal recall
The Digit Backward portion of the test is a measure of:
a. Episodic memory
b. Auditory attention and short-term verbal recall
c. Working memory only
d. Short-term memory and number knowledge
c. Working memory only
What is the difference between the ‘Digit Forward’ and ‘Digit Backward’ versions of the
digit span tests?
a. There is no difference. These are just two variations of a task, designed to measure the
same neuropsychological construct.
b. In Digit Forward, the test taker must write down the numbers they hear in the same
forward order they heard them. In Digit Backward, the test taker must write down the
numbers they hear in a backwards order.
c. In Digit Forward, the test taker sees the numbers presented, written forwards. In Digit
Backward, the test taker sees the numbers written backwards.
d. In Digit Forward, the test taker must repeat the numbers in the same forward order they
heard them. In Digit Backward, the test taker is asked to repeat the numbers they hear in
a backwards order.
b. In Digit Forward, the test taker must write down the numbers they hear in the same
forward order they heard them. In Digit Backward, the test taker must write down the
numbers they hear in a backwards order.
What does Digit Forwards actually measure?
a. Efficiency of attention, also known as freedom from distractibility.
b. Durability of long-term memory
c. Accuracy of iconic memory
d. Efficiency of working memory
a. Efficiency of attention, also known as freedom from distractibility.
What does Digit Backward actually measure?
a. Durability of short-term memory when repetition is limited
b. Ability to track two or more stimuli or trains of thought, simultaneously, alternatively, or
sequentially
c. Efficiency of echoic memory to retain and accurately reprice verbal stimuli
d. Accuracy of implicit memory in its ‘knowledge’ of number-ness
b. Ability to track two or more stimuli or trains of thought, simultaneously, alternatively, or
sequentially
If a neuropsychologist sees significantly stronger performance on Digit Backward, as
compared to Digit Forward, what is the most likely cause for this disparity?
a. The test taker likely has a mild, sub-clinical form of verbal aphasia
b. The test taker may suffer from a previously undetected case of dyslexia
c. Low effort or motivation on the part of the test taker
d. The test taker likely has a verbal encoding deficit
c. Low effort or motivation on the part of the test taker
Regarding the matter of combining Digit Forward and Digit Backwards scores into one, the
book’s authors would most likely agree with which of the following statements?
a. Combining the two makes for a much more reliable measure, which is an important goal
for any neuropsychological test.
b. Combining the two scores makes things simpler, cutting down on how many scores have
to be reported, since scores on the two tasks are highly correlated behaviors in all people.
c. Combining the two creates a more normal/symmetrical distribution of scores, which
reflects the expected normal distribution of neuropsychological functioning seen in
nature.
d. Combining the two potentially causes problems because Digit Forward & Backward
sometimes measure different aspects of different constructs, depending on what groups
are being tested.
d. Combining the two potentially causes problems because Digit Forward & Backward
sometimes measure different aspects of different constructs, depending on what groups
are being tested.
What are some general administration rules for the Digit Forward and Digit Backward
Tasks?
a. Read each digit sequence, just as its written on the page, at a rate of 1 per second,
dropping pitch of voice when reading the last digit.
b. Look at each digit sequence and read it reverse order to the test taker, at a rate of 1 per
second, dropping pitch of voice when reading the last digit.
c. Read each digit sequence, two digits at a time, at rate of 2 per second, raising the pitch of
voice when reading the last digit.
d. Read the entire digit sequence
a. Read each digit sequence, just as its written on the page, at a rate of 1 per second,
dropping pitch of voice when reading the last digit.
What are some general discontinue rules for the Digit Forward and Digit Backward Tasks?
a. Stop reading the digit sequences and stop giving the test, as soon the test taker makes one
error on one digit sequence.
b. Do not stop reading the digit sequences or stop giving the test until you have read all the
sequences and the test taker has responded to them all.
c. Stop reading the digit sequences or stop giving the test as soon as the examiner tells you
they are having trouble recalling some of the digits.
d. Stop reading the digit sequences and stop giving the test, as soon the test taker makes two
back-to-back errors, one two same-length digit sequences in a row.
d. Stop reading the digit sequences and stop giving the test, as soon the test taker makes two
back-to-back errors, one two same-length digit sequences in a row.
Even though the authors of this book might disagree, why are test takers asked to respond to
two same-length digit sequences, one after the other, before hearing a longer digit sequence?
a. To produce data with more psychometrically friendly properties (normal distribution)
b. To help the examiner give the test in a more consistent manner
c. To measure the test takers’ frustration tolerance when engaged in repetitive and boring
tasks.
d. Asking test takers to do the same task twice lets us measure the consistency of test takers’
response.
a. To produce data with more psychometrically friendly properties (normal distribution)
d. Asking test takers to do the same task twice lets us measure the consistency of test takers’
response.
Which of the following is true regarding expected performance on Digit Forward or Digit
Backward tasks?
a. Remembering 8 digits of more is expected and is a sign of ‘normal’ performance.
b. Remembering 4 digits of fewer is a sign of ‘drastically impaired’ performance.
c. Individuals over 65-70 years of age are expected to show ‘borderline’ performance.
d. Anxiety or high stress will likely reduce performance in a dramatically noticeable manner
d. Anxiety or high stress will likely reduce performance in a dramatically noticeable manner
Regarding the matter of Digit Backward performance, the book’s authors likely agree with
all of the following statements, EXCEPT?
a. People engage in scanning eye movements when completing the Digit Backward task.
b. Because Digit Backwards measures an effortful mental juggling, requiring working
memory, it’s not at very sensitive or useful for detecting TBI or brain disease.
c. Performance on Digit Backward is associated with the activation of the left & right
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).
d. Often people will engage both visual and verbal strategies to complete the Digit
Backward task.
b. Because Digit Backwards measures an effortful mental juggling, requiring working
memory, it’s not at very sensitive or useful for detecting TBI or brain disease.
