The Digit Span Task (Backwards-Only Child Version) measures working memory. It assesses children’s ability to hold information in short-term memory and manipulate that information to produce some result. The task consists of two items, forwards and backwards, and each item is composed of two trials of eight questions each. For the purposes of our study, we used backwards only for a total of two trials of eight questions, or 16 total questions. On each question the child repeats the numbers in reverse order of that presented aloud by the examiner (e.g., If the examiner says "5-6", the correct response would be “6-5”; If the examiner says "5–1–7–4–2–3–8", the correct response would be "8-3-2-4-7-1-5"). Both trials of each item are administered, even if the child gets Trial 1 correct. For each trial, 1 point is scored for a correct response or 0 points for an incorrect response or no response. The item score is the sum of the scores on the two trials for that item (range=0-2). The total raw score for backwards digit span is the sum of the item scores; maximum backwards digit span total raw score is 16 points. (For proprietary reasons we are unable to upload the Digit Span Backwards scale.)
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The Digit Span Task is a simple measure of working memory (Wechsler, 1997), which is a factor related to the larger domain of executive function that may contribute to greater self-regulation (Hofmann, Schmeichel, & Baddeley, 2012). In adults, higher working memory is associated with certain health behaviors (e.g., consuming fruits and vegetables; Allom & Mullan, 2014). In children, low working memory is associated with academic difficulties (Alloway, Gathercole, Kirkwood, & Elliott, 2009). Thus, working memory may be a mechanism of behavior change worthy of investigation in children as well as adults. |
Allom.2014.pdf Hofmann.2012.pdf Alloway_et_al-2009-Child_Development.pdf |
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This measure has not been measured yet. |
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This measure has not been influenced yet. |
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This measure has not been validated yet. |
The Science of Behavior Change (SOBC) program seeks to promote basic research on the initiation, personalization and maintenance of behavior change. By integrating work across disciplines, this effort will lead to an improved understanding of the underlying principles of behavior change. The SOBC program aims to implement a mechanisms-focused, experimental medicine approach to behavior change research and to develop the tools required to implement such an approach. The experimental medicine approach involves: identifying an intervention target, developing measures to permit verification of the target, engaging the target through experimentation or intervention, and testing the degree to which target engagement produces the desired behavior change.
Within the SOBC Measures Repository, researchers have access to measures of mechanistic targets that have been (or are in the processing of being) validated by SOBC Research Network Members and other experts in the field. The SOBC Validation Process includes three important stages of evaluation for each proposed measure: Identification, Measurement, and Influence.
The first stage of validation requires a measure to be Identified within the field; there must be theoretical support for the specific measure of the proposed mechanistic target or potential mechanism of behavior change. This evidence may include references for the proposed measure, or theoretical support for the construct that the proposed measure is intended to assess. The second stage of validation requires demonstration that the level and change in level of the chosen mechanistic target can be Measured with the proposed measure (assay). For example, if the proposed measure is a questionnaire, the score on the measure should indicate the activity of the target process, and it must have strong psychometric properties. The third stage of validation requires demonstration that the measure can be Influenced; there must be evidence that the measured target is malleable and responsive to manipulation. Evidence relating to each stage includes at least one peer-reviewed publication or original data presentation (if no peer-reviewed research is available to support the claim) and is evaluated by SOBC Research Network Members and experts in the field.
Once a measure has gone through these three stages, it will then either be Validated or Not validated according to SOBC Research Network standards. If a measure is Validated, then change in the measured target was reliably associated with Behavior Change. If a measure is Not validated, then change in the measured target was not reliably associated with Behavior Change. Why would we share measures that are not validated? The SOBC Research Network values open, rigorous, and transparent research. Our goal is to make meaningful progress and develop replicable and effective interventions in behavior change science. Therefore, the SOBC sees value in providing other researchers in the field with information regarding measures that work and measures that fall short for specific targets. Further, a measure that is not validated for one target in one population may be validated in another target or population.
Want to learn more? For any questions regarding the SOBC Validation Process or Measures Repository, please email info@scienceofbehaviorchange.org.
Has the mechanism been identified as a potential target for behavior change? This section summarizes theoretical support for the mechanism.
Have the psychometric properties of this measure been assessed? This section includes information such as content validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability.
Has a study manipulation led to change in the mechanism? This section addresses evidence that this measure is modifiable by experimental manipulation or clinical intervention.
Has a change in this mechanism been associated with behavior change? This section addresses empirical evidence that causing change in the measure reliably produces subsequent behavior change.
