Chimp Test (Iconic/Eidetic and Spatial Memory)

Memory Duration: ~10 minutes
Chimp Test (Iconic/Eidetic and Spatial Memory) screenshot

Description

An iconic/eidetic and spatial memory task based on the famous Ayumu chimp memory test. Participants must memorize spatial positions of numbered boxes displayed briefly on a grid, then click them in numerical order.

About This Test

Numbers appear on a 5×8 grid. In the masking task, numbers remain visible until the first click, then all hide. In the limited-hold task, numbers are shown briefly (210-650ms) then all masked before clicking begins. Participants click boxes in numerical order (1, 2, 3, etc.). Correct clicks turn green, incorrect clicks turn red and end the trial. The masking task uses adaptive difficulty (4-9 items), while limited-hold tasks use fixed 5-item sequences.

Test Details

Test ID:
chimptest
Main File:
chimptest.pbl
Parameters:
0 configurable parameters
Languages:
German English Spanish French Italian Dutch Portuguese

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Scientific Background

Original Task References:

These references describe the original task that this PEBL implementation is based on.

  • Inoue, S., & Matsuzawa, T. (2007). Working memory of numerals in chimpanzees. Current Biology, 17(23), R1004-R1005.

Data Output

Output File:
chimptest-trial-{subnum}.csv
Format:
CSV

Scoring and Interpretation

Primary measure: Maximum level achieved (highest number of items recalled correctly in masking task).

Accuracy: Proportion of trials completed correctly (allCorrect=1).

Mean correct items: Average number of items recalled before first error.

Limited-hold performance: Percentage correct on 5-item sequences at different display durations (650ms, 430ms, 210ms).

Note: This task became famous when Ayumu the chimpanzee outperformed university students, but typical human performance varies with practice and age.

About This Test

An iconic/eidetic and spatial memory task based on the famous Ayumu chimp memory test. Participants must memorize spatial positions of numbered boxes displayed briefly on a grid, then click them in numerical order.

Category: Memory
Estimated Duration: 10 minutes
Available Translations: 7 languages

Documentation Sources:
Test description file, Test implementation, Parameter schema

Documentation Status: Complete