Essay

Describe the standard procedure for administering the backward digit span task. In your description, clearly identify the role of the researcher, the role of the participant, and how working memory capacity is operationally defined in this task.

Question: Describe the standard procedure for administering the backward digit span task. In your description, clearly identify the role of the researcher, the role of the participant, and how working memory capacity is operationally defined in this task.

Sample answer: In the backward digit span task, a researcher reads a sequence of digits aloud to a participant. The participant is then required to repeat that sequence back to the researcher in reverse order. The operational definition of the participant's working memory capacity is the length of the longest digit sequence they are able to correctly recall in reverse order.

Key points:

  • The researcher reads a sequence of digits to the participant.
  • The participant repeats the digit sequence in reverse order.
  • Working memory capacity is operationally defined as the length of the longest correctly recalled sequence.

Rubric: The answer must identify three main elements: 1) The researcher reads a digit sequence to the participant; 2) The participant must repeat the sequence in reverse/backward order; 3) The operational definition of working memory capacity is the length of the longest sequence correctly recalled.

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Updated 2026-05-26

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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