TEST

Cognitive flexibility (Task Switching)

Task switching, set shifting, and executive control

Ability to switch mental criteria without making mistakes. Detects cognitive rigidity and difficulties adapting to changing situations, frequent after frontal damage.

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WHAT THE TEST IS

Changing criteria without losing track

Inspired by the classic numerical judgment task by Allport et al. (1994), it implements the episodic control level proposed by Koechlin and Summerfield (2007). It is the most demanding test in the SPAIn battery in executive terms.

A cue (× or +) tells the user which of two rules to apply to the number that will appear next: even/odd or greater/less than 5. The rules keep changing. It measures the ability to alternate between rule sets, a central marker of cognitive flexibility and strategic reconfiguration in changing environments (Periáñez et al., 2024).

HOW IT IS ADMINISTERED

Cue × or + → rule → number → response

Symbol “×”: Indicates that the next rule is even/odd. The user must judge whether the number that appears is even or odd.

Symbol “+”: Indicates that the next rule is greater/less than 5. The user must judge whether the number is greater or less than 5.

Feedback: After each response, the system indicates whether it was correct, incorrect, too fast (before the stimulus), or too slow (outside the window).

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

Indicators and their interpretation

Differentiated analysis between switch trials and repetition trials makes it possible to calculate the switch cost, a key marker of cognitive flexibility.

Total correct responses

Global accuracy. Ability to apply rules correctly in changing contexts.

High: good cognitive flexibility.
Low: rigidity, perseverative errors.

Correct responses in repetition

When the rule is maintained. Stability of the already established cognitive set.

High: rule consolidation, low level of distraction.
Low: distractibility, automation failures.

Correct responses in switch trials

Key indicator of flexibility. When the previous rule must be abandoned and the new one applied.

High: efficient updating of the attentional set.
Low: mental rigidity, perseverative errors.

RT correct responses

Mean time in correct responses. Overall processing efficiency.

Slow: slowing or conservative strategy.
Fast: efficiency and automation.

RT in repetition

Efficiency in stable conditions, with no flexibility demand.

Slow: low automation, fatigue, residual interference.
Fast: well-consolidated set.

RT in switch trials (switch cost)

Star indicator. Cost of switching criteria (switch RT − repetition RT). Measures set shifting efficiency.

High: mental rigidity, updating difficulty.
Low: efficient flexibility.

Errors in switch trials

Specific errors after a rule switch. Sensitive to perseverations.

High: rigidity, difficulty inhibiting the previous rule.
Low: effective set switching.

RT variability

Stability in applying the cognitive set.

High: inconsistent execution, attentional lapses.
Low: stable executive control.

RT fatigue

Change in RT between the final and initial 25% under flexibility demand.

High: progressive executive fatigue.
Low: cognitive endurance.

RT errors

Latency in errors. Characterizes whether failures are due to impulsivity or hesitation.

Slow: hesitation, overload.
Fast: impulsivity.

Omissions

Attentional lapses or difficulties integrating the contextual cue for the switch.

Speed-accuracy tradeoff

Strategy adopted (conservative or impulsive bias).

REFERENCES

Bibliography

Allport, A., Styles, E. A., & Hsieh, S. (1994). Shifting intentional set: Exploring the dynamic control of tasks. In C. Umiltà & M. Moscovitch (Eds.), Attention and performance XV.
Koechlin, E., & Summerfield, C. (2007). An information theoretical approach to prefrontal executive function. Trends in Cognitive Sciences.
Periáñez, J. A., Lubrini, G., & Ríos-Lago, M. (2024). Flexibilidad cognitiva y cambio de tarea en SPAIn. NeuronUP / UNED / UCM.

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