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The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) is a measure of executive functioning, which measures one’s ability to develop abstract concepts (abstract reasoning) and shift between sets (mental or cognitive flexibility and problem solving). The WCST can be administered in its original paper and pencil format, utilizing a deck of 128 preordered stimulus cards, a 64-card version, or a computer-based versions of either 128 or 64 stimuli. The subjects/patients are given a set of 4 reference cards, each differing from the other in terms of 3 categories: color (red, blue, green, or yellow), shape (triangle, circle, square, or cross), or number (1, 2, 3, or 4). The subjects/patients are simply asked to match the stimulus cards to the reference cards without further direction as to how they are to be matched. The administrator or computer provides simple feedback of “correct” or “incorrect” based on the predetermined category. Based on the feedback, the subject/patient...
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References and Readings
Berg, E. A. (1948). A simple objective technique for measuring flexibility in thinking. The Journal of General Psychology, 39, 15–22.
Chelune, G. J., & Baer, R. A. (1986). Developmental norms for the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 8, 219–228.
Chelune, G. J., & Thompson, L. L. (1987). Evaluation of the general sensitivity of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test among younger and older children. Developmental Neuropsychology, 3, 81–89.
Grant, D. A., & Berg, E. A. (1948). A behavioral analysis of degree of reinforcement and ease of shifting to new responses in a Weigl-type card-sorting problem. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 38, 404–411.
Heaton, R. K. (1981). A manual for the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task. Odessa: Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc.
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Welsh, M. C., Pennington, B. F., & Groisser, D. B. (1991). A normative-developmental study of executive function: A window on prefrontal function in children. Developmental Neuropsychology, 7, 131–149.
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Kolakowsky-Hayner, S.A. (2011). Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_1913
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_1913
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