Skip to main content
Book cover

Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology pp 1718–1719Cite as

N-Back Paradigm

  • Reference work entry

Synonyms

N-back lag task

Description

The n-back is a paradigm used to assess working memory function in research settings. It is widely used in functional neuroimaging research. During the n-back series, sequential stimuli are presented individually. The examinee holds each stimulus in short-term memory, while new stimuli are presented. For each new item presented, the examinee’s task is to decide if it is the same as the stimulus presented “n” items before. For example, during a 2-back task (i.e., n = 2), the response would be “yes” if the stimulus currently presented matches the stimulus presented two earlier. Examinees usually respond with a button press on a computer keyboard or a response box connected to a computer that presents the paradigm. The most common levels of “n” are 1-back, 2-back, and 3-back, with a 0-back control task frequently used for baseline performance in functional neuroimaging experiments. During the 0-back, the examinee is asked to respond yes each time a...

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_1315
  • Chapter length: 2 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   1,350.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-0-387-79948-3
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Hardcover Book
USD   1,499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions
N-Back Paradigm. Figure 1

References and Readings

  • Baddeley, A. D., & Hitch, G. (1974). Working memory. In G. H. Bower (Ed.), The psychology of learning and motivation: Advances in research and theory (Vol. 8, pp. 47–89). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Callicott, J. H., Ramsey, N. F., Tallent, K., Bertolino, A., Knable, M. B., Coppola, R., et al. (1998 March). Functional magnetic resonance imaging brain mapping in psychiatry: Methodological issues illustrated in a study of working memory in schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology, 18(3), 186–196.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dobbs, A. R., & Rule, B. G. (1989). Adult age differences in working memory. Psychology and Aging, 4, 500–503.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Owen, A. M., McMillan, K. M., Laird, A. R., & Bullmore, E. (2005). N-back working memory paradigm: A meta-analysis of normative functional neuroimaging studies. Human Brain Mapping, 25, 46–59.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, E. E., & Jonides, J. (1997). Working memory: A view from neuroimaging. Cognitive Psychology, 33, 5–42.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, E. E., & Jonides, J. (1998). Neuroimaging analyses of human working memory. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 95, 12061–12068.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg, S. (1969). Memory-scanning: Mental processes revealed by reaction-time experiments. American Scientist, 57, 421–457.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sweet, L. H., Rao, S. M., Primeau, M., Durgerian, S., & Cohen, R. A. (2006 January). Functional magnetic resonance imaging response to increased verbal working memory demands among patients with multiple sclerosis. Human Brain Mapping, 27(1), 28–36.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Butler Hospital, 345 Blackstone Blvd., 2906, Providence, RI, USA

    Lawrence H. Sweet

Authors
  1. Lawrence H. Sweet
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Professor of Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry Virginia Commonwealth University – Medical Center Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, VCU, 980542, Richmond, Virginia, 23298-0542, USA

    Jeffrey S. Kreutzer

  2. Kessler Foundation Research Center, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ, 07052, USA

    John DeLuca

  3. Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Neurology and Neuroscience, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – New Jersey Medical School, New Jersey, USA

    John DeLuca

  4. Independent Practice, 564 M.O.B. East, 100 E. Lancaster Ave., Wynnewood, PA, 19096, USA

    Bruce Caplan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this entry

Cite this entry

Sweet, L.H. (2011). N-Back Paradigm. 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_1315

Download citation