Dual Context Working Memory (DCWM) Task

Overview

The Dual Context Working Memory (DCWM) Task presents participants with visual stimuli and verbal instructions about image choice and response type. Based on the instructions, participants will choose one of the images, and respond with either a button press or slider. The task supports both training and main experimental versions.

Files

Main Scripts

• main.py - Main script for the experimental task
• main_training.py - Main script for the training version

Core Functions

• init_task.py - Initialize task parameters and display for main task
• init_task_training.py - Initialize task parameters for training
• run_session.py - Run the experimental session (main task)
• run_session_training.py - Run the training session
• finish_experiment.py - Clean up after main experiment
• finish_experiment_training.py - Clean up after training

Relevant Helper Functions

• get_instruction_text.py - Generate instruction text based on trial parameters
• get_motor_instruction_text.py - Generate response text (button/slider) based on trial parameters
• get_correct_responses.py - Calculate correct responses for trials
• get_correct_responses_training.py - Calculate correct responses for training trials
• intermission_screen.py - Display intermission/break screens
• send_blackrock_comment.py - Send comments to Blackrock machine
• cbmex_utils.py - Utils functions from Baylor to assist with Blackrock comments
• photodiode_utils.py - Utils functions to refresh photodiode for timing
• filter_picklable.py - Function for saving relevant data at the end of each trial

Stimuli

• Task_Stim_New_v1 - relevant folder for task stimuli
• Training = relevant folder for training stimuli

Instructions

• DCWM_Instructions.docx - word doc with relevant instructions for running task
• DCWM_Instructions.pptx - powerpoint accompanying the word document
• DCWM_Task_Parameters.xlsx - not instructions, but may be helpful to understand task blocks

Requirements

Python Packages

• Install via environment.yml file

Hardware Support

• Cerebus: For Blackrock connection (cbmex_utils)

Usage

Running the Main Task

python main.py

Running the Training Version

python main_training.py

Configuration

Debug Mode

Select debug = 1 when prompted to:

• Skip Blackrock comment sending
• Use smaller window size
• Bypass sync tests

Input Devices

• Keyboard: Default input method (Left/Right arrow keys)

Data Output

Data is saved as pickle files in:

• Main task: ../patientData/taskLogs/
• Training: ../patientData/trainingLogs/

Neural data logs will be saved in:

• Main task: ../patientData/neuralLogs/
• Training: ../patientData/neuralLogs_training/

Each file contains:

• task_struct: All task parameters and trial data
• disp_struct: Display configuration

License

This code built off of a task written by Tomas Aquino in PsychToolbox, found here: https://github.com/43technetium/VerbalInstructionTask