Wisconsin Card Sorting Test
The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) is the gold-standard measure of cognitive flexibility, set-shifting, and abstract reasoning. Participants sort cards by matching to one of four key cards, but the sorting rule (color, shape, or number) is never stated — they must infer it from correctness feedback. The rule changes without warning after 10 consecutive correct sorts, requiring flexible adaptation. Perseverative errors (continuing to sort by the old rule after a shift) are the most clinically informative metric.
ActivitySpec: lamp.wcst
Cognitive domain: Cognitive flexibility, set-shifting, abstract reasoning
Configuration
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Deck Size | Number of cards (64 or 128) |
| Time Limit | Per-trial timeout in seconds (0 = untimed) |
API settings fields
| Dashboard Setting | API Field | Type | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Size | deck_size | number | 64 |
| Time Limit | time_limit_per_trial_s | number | 0 |
Sample Instructions
"Match each card to one of the four cards at the top. You can match by color, shape, or number. You will not be told the rule — use the feedback to figure it out. The rule may change without warning."
Usage
Four key cards are displayed at the top: 1 Red Triangle, 2 Green Stars, 3 Yellow Crosses, 4 Blue Circles. A response deck of 64 unique cards (4 colors x 4 shapes x 4 numbers) is presented one at a time, or 128 for the full version. The rule sequence follows Color, Shape, Number and repeats up to 6 categories. Ten consecutive correct sorts complete a category and trigger a rule shift. The participant receives only "Correct" or "Incorrect" feedback. The game ends when 6 categories are completed or the deck is exhausted.
Scoring
The primary clinical metrics are perseverative errors and categories completed. Perseverative errors occur when the participant continues sorting by the previous rule after a shift.
References
- Berg, E. A. (1948). A simple objective technique for measuring flexibility in thinking. Journal of General Psychology, 39(1), 15-22. DOI: 10.1080/00221309.1948.9918159
- Heaton, R. K. (1981). Wisconsin Card Sorting Test Manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.
Data
static_data
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
categories_completed | number | Number of sorting categories achieved (max 6) |
perseverative_responses | number | Responses matching the previous rule |
perseverative_errors | number | Incorrect responses matching the previous rule |
non_perseverative_errors | number | Errors not matching the previous rule |
conceptual_level_responses | number | Correct responses in runs of 3+ consecutive correct |
failure_to_maintain_set | number | Times a run of 5+ correct was broken before reaching 10 |
trials_to_first_category | number | Trials needed to complete the first category |
total_trials | number | Total cards sorted |
total_correct | number | Total correct sorts |
total_errors | number | Total errors |
mean_rt_correct_ms | number | Mean RT on correct sorts (ms) |
score | number | Overall score |
correct_answers | number | Total correct sorts |
total_questions | number | Total trials |
questionnaire | object | Post-game ratings: clarity (1-5), happiness (1-5) |
temporal_slices
One entry per card sort.
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
item | number | Card index |
type | string | Sort type |
trial_number | number | Trial sequence number |
card_color | string | Color of the presented card |
card_shape | string | Shape of the presented card |
card_number | number | Number on the presented card |
chosen_key | number | Which key card was selected (1-4) |
current_rule | string | Active sorting rule ("color", "shape", or "number") |
match_dimension | string | Which dimension the sort matched |
correct | boolean | Whether the sort was correct |
perseverative | boolean | Whether the response matched the previous rule |
perseverative_error | boolean | Whether this was a perseverative error |
rt_ms | number | Reaction time (ms) |
duration | number | Total trial duration (ms) |
consecutive_correct | number | Current streak of correct sorts |
categories_completed | number | Categories completed so far |
Cortex Features
No Cortex features are currently available for this activity.
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