Can I run the Intra/Extra Dimensional Set Shift Task online?
Yes. ConductCognition runs the Intra/Extra Dimensional Set Shift Task in a browser-based participant flow with study setup, automated scoring, and export-ready results.
Executive Function
Intra/Extra Dimensional Set Shift Task
Measure set-shifting, reversal learning, and extra-dimensional flexibility with generated browser-native stimuli.
Useful for CANTAB-style executive-function batteries, frontal-systems research, and aging studies.
Executive Function8-12 minBrowser-based testing workflow
Preview
Cognitive test preview
What this task measures
Measures cognitive flexibility and attentional set-shifting with criterion-based discrimination, reversal, intra-dimensional shift, and extra-dimensional shift stages.
Core constructs
- Cognitive flexibility
- Attentional set-shifting
- Reversal learning
- Executive function
Research fit
- Executive-function batteries
- Frontal-systems and set-shifting research
- Aging and neurodegeneration studies
- CANTAB-adjacent cognitive flexibility endpoints
Why researchers use ConductCognition
- Hosted browser delivery with no local install burden for participants.
- Study setup, scoring, exports, and participant links in one workflow.
- Transparent pricing instead of opaque enterprise quoting for solo labs.
- Free entry tier plus Academic Pro when you need the full battery and trial-level exports.
Paradigm overview
Intra/Extra Dimensional Set Shift is a criterion-based visual discrimination and reversal-learning task. Participants choose between two compound stimuli and receive feedback, learning which dimension and value is currently rewarded.
The task progresses through simple discrimination, reversal, compound discrimination, intra-dimensional shift, intra-dimensional reversal, extra-dimensional shift, and extra-dimensional reversal stages. The extra-dimensional shift is the key flexibility demand: the relevant dimension changes from shape to line pattern after the participant has built an attentional set.
This implementation preserves the nine-stage progression and 6-consecutive-correct criterion while using generated non-proprietary SVG shapes and line patterns.
Key scoring outputs
Stages Completed
countNumber of IED stages passed within the trial cap.
Higher is better
EDS Errors
countIncorrect choices during the Extra-Dimensional Shift stage, conditional on reaching that stage.
Lower is better
Adjusted Total Errors
countObserved errors plus CANTAB-style penalties for stages not completed.
Lower is better
Pre-ED Errors
countErrors before the Extra-Dimensional Shift stage.
Lower is better
Mean Latency
msAverage response latency across discrimination choices.
Lower is informational, not always better
Research evidence and scoring context
De Luca et al. (2003), Robbins et al. (1994), and Heaton et al. (1993) WCST cross-validation literature.
N 112818-79
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Research FAQ
Common questions about this online cognitive test
What does this test measure?
Intra/Extra Dimensional Set Shift Task is used for cognitive flexibility, attentional set-shifting, reversal learning research workflows.
What data can researchers export?
Researchers can export scored results, and paid plans support trial-level exports for deeper analysis.
Is this for clinical diagnosis?
ConductCognition is for research use. The platform supports task delivery, scoring, and exports; clinical interpretation remains outside the platform.