Dual n-back

How to Play Dual N-Back

Dual N-Back is a cognitive training exercise that aims to improve working memory and fluid intelligence. The game involves two separate modalities: visual and auditory. Here's how to play:

1. Visual component: You'll see a grid (usually a 3x3 grid) on the screen with a square appearing in one of the nine positions.
2. Auditory component: Simultaneously, you'll hear a letter being spoken aloud.

The "N" in Dual N-Back refers to the number of steps you need to remember back. For example, in a 2-Back exercise, you'll need to remember the square positions and letters from two steps ago.

Your task is to identify when the current visual or auditory stimulus matches the one presented "N" steps back. You typically have separate buttons or keys to indicate a match for the visual component and the auditory component. You need to press the respective button whenever there's a match.

As you improve, you can increase the difficulty by increasing the "N" value (e.g., from 2-Back to 3-Back). This requires you to remember more steps back, challenging your working memory further.

Playing Dual N-Back Effectively

1. Focus your attention on both the visual and auditory components.
2. Maintain a mental representation of the last "N" square positions and letters.
3. Continuously update your mental representation as new stimuli are presented.
4. Respond as quickly and accurately as possible when you identify a match.

Consistent practice of Dual N-Back is believed to enhance working memory and fluid intelligence, although the benefits and transferability of these improvements to other cognitive tasks are still debated.

Example of a 2-Back Dual N-Back Game

Here's a quick example of a 2-Back Dual N-Back game using a blue circle as the visual indicator and a voice saying a letter for the audio component:

1. A blue circle appears in the top-left position. You hear the letter "A."
2. A blue circle appears in the bottom-right position. You hear the letter "B."
3. A blue circle appears in the top-left position again. You hear the letter "C."
4. A blue circle appears in the middle position. You hear the letter "A."

In this example, the visual match occurs at step 3, as the circle's position matches the position from 2 steps back (step 1). The auditory match occurs at step 4, as the letter "A" matches the letter from 2 steps back (step 2).

During the game, you would press the button or key corresponding to the visual match when you see the circle in the top-left position at step 3. Similarly, you would press the button or key for the auditory match when you hear the letter "A" at step 4.