Cognitive domain | Task and sample item |
---|---|
Semantic memory (5 items, maximum score: 10 points) | Items 1 to 4 Verbal descriptions of animals are given (e.g., “What is the name of the animal with the very long neck”). If the correct name is given (“giraffe”), 2 points are awarded. Otherwise, an additional hint is given (e.g., “The animal lives in Africa and has a yellow –brownish pattern”). If the answer is now correct, 1 point is awarded. Item 5 serves as distractor item: “Are people more afraid of a lion or a rabbit?” If the answer is “lion,” 1 point is scored and an additional question is asked: “Why should you be more afraid of a lion?” For a correct answer (“dangerous,” “carnivore,” etc., not: “bigger”), the participant receives another point. |
Verbal memory (4 items, maximum score: 8 points) | Free recall “What animals did I ask you about before we talked about the lion and the rabbit?” For each animal that was remembered correctly, 2 points are given. Recognition For each animal that could not be remembered, the participant is allowed to choose between three options (“Did I ask about a leopard, a giraffe or a parrot?”). If the correct animal is selected, 1 point is awarded. |
Visual construction (4 items, maximum score: 8 points) | The participant is asked to draw shapes with the index finger. “Please watch carefully [administrator draws a symbol with her/his index finger] and then try to draw the following shapes in the air.” Example: If the shape is drawn correctly by the participant (shape can be clearly recognized, regardless if a mirror image is drawn or not) 2 points are awarded. If not, the shape is repeated by the administrator (“I’ll draw the shape again …. Please try again now”). If the shape is now drawn correctly, 1 point is awarded. |
Verbal fluency (1 item, maximum score: 8 points) | Naming of larger cities (≥ 50,000 inhabitants) anywhere in the world in 60 s. 1 point is awarded for each 3 cities (8 points for 24 or more cities). |
Visual memory (4 items, maximum score: 8 points) | Free recall “What figures did we draw in the air before we talked about big cities?” For each shape that was remembered correctly, 2 points are given. Recognition For the remaining shapes that could not be remembered, hints are given (“one shape looked like a letter”). If the correct shape is drawn, one point is awarded. |
Cognitive flexibility (4 items, maximum score: 8 points) | The participant is asked to reproduce tapping patterns given by the administrator (“Please watch carefully and then try tapping the same pattern”).
If the pattern is reproduced correctly, 2 points are awarded. If not, the pattern is given again by the administrator (“I’ll tap the pattern again …. Please try again now”). If the pattern is now reproduced correctly, 1 point is awarded. |