Protocol - Cognitive Flexibility (Dimensional Change Card Sort) - Young Children
- Executive Function - Direct Assessment - Adolescent
- Executive Function - Direct Assessment - Adult
- Executive Function - Questionnaire - Adult
- Executive Function - Questionnaire - Children
- Executive Function - Questionnaire - Preschool Children
- Working Memory - Adult
- Working Memory - Child
Description
The Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) Standard Version is an interviewer-administered task that measures the flexible use of rules to govern behavior as a means of providing an index of executive function in young children. In this task, the assessor asks the participant to sort bivalent test cards according to one dimension (e.g., color) and then the other (e.g., shape).
The Dimensional Change Card Sort task is a freely available, simplified version of the Wisconsin Card Sort test. For more information about the Wisconsin Card Sort test, please refer to the Cognitive Atlas Interpretation.
Specific Instructions
None
Availability
Protocol
Summary of the Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) Standard Version
The Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) Standard Version makes use of two different styles of bivalent cards, displaying for example a red boat and blue rabbit.
The protocol consists of the following four steps:
1. The assessor decides which dimension (e.g., color or shape) on the bivalent cards will be used for the pre-switch phase of sorting.
2. The assessor sets up two sorting trays displaying target cards representing the two different styles of card. The participant is then given instructions for sorting a set of test cards, which displays the same images as the target cards, based on the dimension decided upon in step 1. The assessor guides the participant through the process of appropriately sorting one of each style of card.
3. The pre-switch phase of testing is carried out. The assessor instructs the participant to sort six randomly selected test cards based on the dimension selected in step 1.
4. The post-switch phase of testing is carried out. The assessor instructs the participant to sort six randomly selected test cards based on the other dimension.
Scoring
Typically, post-switch performance is only evaluated for participants who correctly sort five or more of the six pre-switch cards. Participants are scored as having passed or failed the task as scores are usually bimodally distributed between being all correct or all incorrect on post-switch trials. Participants who correctly sort five or more of the six post-switch cards are considered to have passed the task.
Most healthy three-year-old children fail the post-switch phase of the standard version of the DCCS, exhibiting inflexibility, while most healthy four- and five-year-old children pass as their flexibility increases.
Personnel and Training Required
The assessor should be trained to respond in a neutral, nonevaluative, noncorrective manner during the task. The assessor should be trained in how to respond to hesitant or resistant behavior by the participant.
Equipment Needs
The assessor will need two sorting trays with panels for displaying target cards, two styles of bivalent target cards (e.g., one card displaying a red boat and the other a blue rabbit), and 14 standard test cards (7 of each style of target card).
Requirements
| Requirement Category | Required |
|---|---|
| Major equipment | No |
| Specialized training | No |
| Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection | No |
| Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual | No |
Mode of Administration
Interviewer-administered evaluation
Lifestage
Infant, Toddler
Participants
Children aged 2.5-7 years
Selection Rationale
This Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) Standard Version is a well validated measure of one aspect of executive control-cognitive flexibility-which can be used with preschoolers.
Language
English
Standards
| Standard | Name | ID | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Phenotype Ontology | Cognitive impairment | HP:0100543 | HPO |
| Human Phenotype Ontology | Addictive behavior | HP:0030858 | HPO |
| caDSR Form | PhenX PX530102 - Cognitive Flexibility Dimensional Change Card Sort You | 6227128 | caDSR Form |
Derived Variables
None
Process and Review
The Expert Review Panel #3 (ERP 3) reviewed the measures in Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Substances, and Substance Abuse and Addiction domains.
Guidance from ERP 3 includes:
• No significant changes to measure
Back-compatible: NA no changes to Data Dictionary
Protocol Name from Source
Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS), Standard Version
Source
Zelazo, P. D. (2006). The dimensional change card sort (DCCS): A method of assessing executive function in children. Nature Protocols, 1(1), 297-301.
General References
Errico, A. L., King, A. C., Lovallo, W. R., & Parsons, O. A. (2002). Cortisol dysregulation and cognitive impairments in abstinent male alcoholics. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 26(8), 1198-1204.
Klüber, A., Murphy, K., & Garavan, H. (2005). Cocaine dependence and attention switching within and between verbal and visuospatial working memory. European Journal of Neuroscience, 21, 1984-1992.
van der Plas, E. A., Crone, E. A., van den Wildenberg, W. P., Tranel, D., & Bechara, A. (2009). Executive control deficits in substance-dependent individuals: A comparison of alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine and of men and women. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 31(6), 706-719.
Verejo-García, A., Bechara, A., Recknor, E. C., & Pérez-García, M. (2006). Executive dysfunction in substance dependent individuals during drug use and abstinence: An examination of the behavioral, cognitive and emotional correlates of addiction. Journal of International Neuropsychological Society, 12, 405-415.
Protocol ID
530102
Variables
Export Variables| Variable Name | Variable ID | Variable Description | dbGaP Mapping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PX530102_Dimension_Preswitch_Phase | ||||
| PX530102010000 | Dimension used for pre-switch phase of sorting. | N/A | ||
| PX530102_Number_Postswitch_Cards_Correctly_Sorted | ||||
| PX530102030000 | Number of post-switch cards correctly more | N/A | ||
| PX530102_Number_Preswitch_Cards_Correctly_Sorted | ||||
| PX530102020000 | Number of pre-switch cards correctly sorted: more | N/A | ||
Measure Name
Cognitive Flexibility
Release Date
February 24, 2012
Definition
This measure assesses flexibility in detection and use of rules that govern behavior.
Purpose
Cognitive flexibility is one component of the multidimensional construct "executive function." This measure provides a marker of the development of executive function. Substance use has been shown to correlate with deficits in both cognitive flexibility and other aspects of executive functioning.
Keywords
Child, Cognitive Flexibility, DCCS, Dimensional Change Card Sort Border Version, Dimensional Change Card Sort Standard Version, Drug Abuse, drug use, Executive Function, Neuropsychiatry, NIH Toolbox, substance abuse, substance use, SAA, Substance Use-related Neurobehavioral and Cognitive Risk Factors
Measure Protocols
| Protocol ID | Protocol Name |
|---|---|
| 530101 | Cognitive Flexibility (Dimensional Change Card Sort) - Children, Adolescents, and Adults |
| 530102 | Cognitive Flexibility (Dimensional Change Card Sort) - Young Children |
Publications
There are no publications listed for this protocol.