RU2772663C2 - Method for determining concentration of attention and/or attention switching of the subject - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to medicine and can be used to determine concentration of attention and attention switching of the subject. Stimulus material in the form of cards is used, containing at least two groups of stimulus material. The first group therein comprises a first stimulus material in the form of cards in a first colour scheme. The second group comprises at least part of the first stimulus material in the form of cards in a second colour scheme. Cards are selected from the first and second groups of stimulus material. The selected cards are shown. At least one response of the subject is recorded. The correctness of at least one answer of the subject is checked. The time from the beginning of the demonstration of the selected cards until the last response of the subject is recorded. The maximum amount of correct answers, amount of incorrect answers are determined. The concentration of attention and attention switching of the subject are determined based on the ratio of the time from the beginning of the demonstration of the selected cards until the last response of the subject to the difference between the maximum possible amount of correct answers and the amount of incorrect answers.

EFFECT: method provides a possibility of measuring the level of concentration and attention switching, reducing the measurement time with high reliability and validity by expanding the amount of task variants for the same stimulus material, providing original stimulus material in the form of cards, a possibility of changing the colour scheme of the stimulus material when the method is repeated.

7 cl, 2 dwg

Description

The field of technology to which the invention belongs

The present invention relates to the psychology and psychophysiology of labor, the psychology of sports and is intended for the operational measurement of the level of concentration, switching attention and noise immunity of workers in hazardous activities and athletes. Rapid measurement of the level of concentration and switching of attention can reduce the risk of accidents among workers in hazardous professions, as well as injuries and competitive failures among professional athletes.

State of the art

Currently, a significant number of methods and techniques for measuring various indicators of attention have been developed, which, with high reliability and validity, do not differ in sufficient efficiency.

Attention (English attention), according to the Big Psychological Dictionary, edited by B.G. Meshcheryakova, V.P. Zinchenko (ACT; AST-Moscow; Prime-Evroznak; Moscow; St. Petersburg; 2008), - the process and state of the subject's adjustment to the perception of priority information and the fulfillment of tasks. Theoretically and operationally, attention (attunement) is characterized by the level (intensity, concentration), volume (breadth, distribution), selectivity, speed of switching (movement), duration and stability. For the study of Attention, a large number of methods have been developed: tachistoscopy method for determining the amount of attention (D. Cattell, W. Wundt); various versions of the correction test to determine the concentration and stability of attention (the 1st version was proposed in 1895 by the French psychologist B. Bourdon); method of Schulte tables for determining the speed of switching attention; dichotic listening method (K. Cherry); methods of selective reading and selective observation (W. Neisser and R. Becklin); Strupp test, etc. The distribution of attention is studied in experiments in which the performance of another task is added to the performance of one task. Successful distribution is said to be in the event that the additional task does not impair the performance of the first (main) one. It is shown, in particular, that the deterioration of the motor activity of the arms and legs occurs with the simultaneous pronunciation of an incoherent set of words and does not occur - with repeated pronunciation of the phrase "To be or not to be?". An understandable interest in the distribution of attention was shown by engineering psychologists, who, moreover, significantly enriched the factography of attention with numerous works on vigilance and noise immunity of operators.

Maklakov A.G. in the textbook "General Psychology" (St. Petersburg: Piter, 2001) indicates that the main properties of attention include stability, concentration, distribution, switching, distractibility and attention span.

Stability lies in the ability to focus on the same object for a certain time. This property of attention can be determined by peripheral and central factors. Experimental studies have shown that attention is subject to periodic involuntary fluctuations. The periods of such oscillations, according to N.N. Lange, are usually equal to two or three seconds, reaching a maximum of 12 seconds. If you listen to the ticking of the clock and try to focus on it, then it will be either audible or inaudible. The fluctuations of attention are of a different nature when observing more complex figures - in them alternately one or the other part will act as a figure. Such an effect, for example, gives the image of a truncated pyramid: if you look closely at it for some time, then it will alternately appear either convex or concave. The study of the stability of attention is aimed at establishing how firmly and steadily attention is maintained for a long time, whether fluctuations in its stability are noted, and when fatigue phenomena occur, in which the subject's attention begins to be distracted by side stimuli. Bourdon charts are commonly used to measure attention span, consisting of a random alternation of individual letters, with each letter repeated in each line the same number of times.

Attention concentration refers to the degree or intensity of concentration of attention. A.A. Ukhtomsky believed that the concentration of attention is associated with the peculiarities of the functioning of the dominant focus of excitation in the cortex. In particular, he believed that concentration is a consequence of excitation in the dominant focus with simultaneous inhibition of other areas of the cerebral cortex.

Under the distribution of attention understand the ability of a person to perform several activities at the same time. A textbook example is the phenomenal abilities of Julius Caesar, who, according to legend, could simultaneously do seven unrelated things. It is also known that Napoleon could simultaneously dictate seven important diplomatic documents to his secretaries. But, as life practice shows, a person is able to perform only one type of conscious mental activity, and the subjective feeling of simultaneous performance of several arises as a result of a quick sequential switch from one type of activity to another. Even W. Wundt proved that a person cannot focus on two simultaneously presented stimuli. However, sometimes a person is really able to perform two types of activity at the same time. In fact, in such cases, one of the activities performed should be fully automated and do not require attention. If this condition is not met, the combination of activities is impossible. The study of the distribution of attention is of great practical importance. For this purpose, so-called Schulte tables (red-black tables) are used. These tables show two rows of randomly scattered red and black numbers. The subject must name the rows of numbers in order, alternating each time the red and black numbers. Sometimes the experiment is complicated: the red numbers must be called in the forward order, and the black numbers in the reverse order.

Switching attention means consciously and meaningfully moving attention from one object to another. In general, the switchability of attention means the ability to quickly navigate in a complex changing situation. The ease of switching attention is not the same for different people and depends on a number of conditions (primarily on the relationship between the preceding and subsequent activities and the attitude of the subject to each of them). The more interesting the activity, the easier it is to switch to it. At the same time, it should be noted that the switchability of attention is one of the well-trained qualities.

The next property of attention is its volume. Attention span refers to the number of objects that we can cover with sufficient clarity at the same time. It is known that a person cannot simultaneously think about different things and perform various works. This limitation makes it necessary to split the information coming from the outside into parts that do not exceed the capabilities of the processing system. An important and defining feature of the attention span is that it practically does not change during training and training. The study of the volume of attention is usually carried out by analyzing the number of simultaneously presented elements (numbers, letters, etc.) that can be clearly perceived by the subject. For these purposes, a tachistoscope is used - a device that allows you to present a certain number of stimuli so quickly that the subject cannot move his eyes from one object to another. This allows you to measure the number of objects available for simultaneous identification. Typically, a tahistoscon consists of a window separated from the object under consideration by a falling screen, the slit of which can arbitrarily change so that the object under consideration appears in it for a very short period of time (from 10 to 50-100 ms). An indicator of the volume of attention is the number of clearly perceived objects. Attention span varies from person to person, but usually it is 5 plus or minus 2 in humans.

Distractibility is the involuntary movement of attention from one object to another. It arises under the action of extraneous stimuli on a person engaged in some activity at that moment. Distractibility can be external and internal. External distractibility occurs under the influence of external stimuli. The most distracting are objects or phenomena that appear suddenly and act with varying force and frequency. In response to these stimuli, a hard-to-extinguish orienting reflex appears in a person.

Various methods have been proposed by those skilled in the art to measure various characteristics of attention. The following are the best known, authoritative and closest to the present invention.

There is a known method "Correction test" (B. Bourdon) - a method designed to assess the stability and concentration of attention (Workshop on psychology / Edited by A.N. Leontiev, Yu. , 1972. - 95 p. Almanac of psychological tests. M., 1995, pp. 107-111). The test is carried out using special forms with rows of randomly arranged letters (numbers, figures, newspaper text can be used instead of forms). The subject looks through the text or form row by row and crosses out certain letters (numbers, signs) specified in the instructions. Every 60 seconds, on command, the subject must mark with a vertical line how many letters he has already looked through. Five tests are carried out without interruption. The results of the test are evaluated by the number of missing non-crossed out characters and by the number of characters viewed in each of the five samples. Also known is a modified computer version of the method - "Device for the study of attention" (USSR Author's certificate No. 1342477, class A 61B 5/16,1985).

The known method "Tables of E. Schulte" - a method designed to determine the stability of attention and the dynamics of performance, consists of five identical samples (with different tables), which in the form of numbers (from 1 to 25) are offered in random order. The subject alternately searches for, shows and names the numbers in ascending order. The subject is asked to show and name all the numbers in order from 1 to 25, to do this as quickly as possible and without errors. The main indicator of the test is the task execution time and the number of errors separately for each table. Based on the results of all tasks, a “curve of exhaustion (fatigue)” is constructed, reflecting the stability of attention and performance in dynamics (Almanac of psychological tests. M., 1995, pp. 112-116).

The known method of F.D. Gorbov "Red-black table" - a method designed to assess the switching and distribution of attention (Almanac of psychological tests. M., 1995, pp. 117-118). The study is carried out using special forms, on which there are 25 red and 24 black numbers. The subject must first find the black numbers in ascending order, then the red numbers in descending order. The third task is to alternately search for black numbers in ascending order and red numbers in descending order. The first two tasks are performed using one form, the third task - on another form. The difference between the two times will be the switching time of attention. Also known is a modified computer version of the method - "Device for psychological research" (SU 1662497 A1,1991.07.15).

The known method of "Landolt's Ring" is a method designed to assess the overall performance of a person and its components: productivity, speed, accuracy (error-free), endurance and reliability (Workshop on psychology. Edited by A.N. Leontiev, Yu.B. Gippenreiter. - M.: Publishing House of Moscow State University, 1972. - 95 p.). The test is carried out using special forms with rows of rings with gaps. The subject looks through the rings on the form row by row and crosses out the rings with a certain gap. Every 2 minutes, on command, the subject must mark with a vertical line how many rings he has already viewed. Five tests are carried out without interruption. The results of the test are evaluated by the number of missed not crossed out rings and by the number of viewed rings in each of the five samples. There are also modified computer versions of the method (for example, SU 1346132 A1, 1987.10.23. RU 2686247 C1, 2019.04.24).

The disadvantage of the above methods and their computer versions is the need for a large amount of time required to measure the parameters of attention and processing the results - from 5 minutes or more.

The Munsterberg method is a method designed to assess selectivity and concentration of attention (Psychological workshop "Attention": Textbook method. settlement, Comp.: L.I. Dementy, N.V. Leifrid, under the general editorship of L.I. Dementy. - Omsk: OmGU, 2003. -64 p.). On a special form, among the letter test, there are words that need to be highlighted. The number of selected words and the number of errors (missing and incorrectly highlighted words) are estimated. The disadvantage of this method is the insecurity of the test from the influence of knowledge of the language.

There is a method for assessing the level of attention (RU 2033081 C1, 20.04.1995), in which the subject is presented with information fields with two-digit numbers (tables), and he must look for a given number, which is indicated before the presentation of each information field. Information fields are presented in a random order with an area ratio of 1:4. The subject answers "yes" or "no" by pressing the buttons, depending on finding the given number. The search time corresponding to each type of information field is measured, and the average value of the search time for each type of information field is determined. The distribution of attention is estimated by the difference in search time in information fields of the same area with a different number of recognizable objects. The disadvantage of this method is that the choice of a given stimulus among similar ones is not a stable indicator of the distribution of attention.

There are also complex hardware methods that include attention assessment: UPDK-MK Auto Professional JSC "Neurocom" (www.neurocom.ru), APPDK Multipsychometr (www.multipsychometr.ru), UPFT-1/30 "Psychophysiologist" (http: / /medicom-mtd.com/), APK for pre-shift psychophysiological control "Control - Tolerance" (www.lpfo.pro/products/3-3-apparatno-prograrnmnye-kompleksy.html, APK "Meleti" (https://www. autopolis.ru/catalog/apk_testirovanija_i_razvitija_psihofizicheskih _kachestv_voditela_393/apk_meleti_professionalnaja_versija_2987.html), Complex "ROFES" (Dyatlov, M. N. Devices for the psychophysiological examination of drivers. M. N. Dyatlov. Young scientist. - 2013. - No. 4 (51). - pp. 59-61 - URL: https://moluch.ru/archive/51/6579/).

Despite the availability of reliable and valid methods for measuring individual indicators of attention and their computerized versions, a short-term (operational) and reliable method (up to 2 minutes) for measuring the level of concentration, switching attention and noise immunity has not yet been developed, which allows it to be carried out quickly in order to pre-shift or pre-competition control, or during a shift or during a break between stages of the competition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention describes a method for determining the concentration of attention and/or switching the attention of a subject, which includes: reporting a message associated with a stimulus material containing at least two groups of stimulus material, the first group containing the first stimulus material in the form of cards having the first color solution, the second group contains at least a part of the first stimulus material in the form of cards having a second color solution; selection of cards from the first and second groups of stimulus material; demonstration of selected cards; fixing at least one response of the subject; checking the correctness of at least one answer of the subject; fixing the time spent by the subject on at least one answer, and / or the time from the beginning of the demonstration of the selected cards to the last answer of the subject; determining the concentration of attention and / or switching attention of the subject based on the time spent by the subject on at least one answer, and the correctness of at least one answer of the subject.

In some embodiments, the stimulus material may comprise a third group containing a second stimulus material in the form of cards having a second color scheme, and the selection of cards may further include a selection from the third group of stimulus material.

Also in some embodiments, the implementation of the stimulus material may contain a fourth group, including at least the first and/or second stimulus material with a third color scheme, and the selection of cards may additionally include the selection of stimulus material from the fourth group.

In yet another embodiment, the card selection may include non-task stimulus material in the form of blank cards.

In additional embodiments, the invention can determine the maximum possible number of correct answers, the number of incorrect answers, the time from the beginning of the demonstration of the selected cards to the last answer of the subject, and the concentration and / or switching of attention, as well as noise immunity (in the implementation of the method with the formation of noise) of the subject can determine on the basis of the time from the beginning of the demonstration of the selected cards to the last answer of the subject in inverse proportion to the difference between the maximum possible number of correct answers and incorrect answers.

In some embodiments of the present invention, during the performance of the task, the subjects may be subjected to interference of at least one of the following types: auditory, visual, tactile.

Additionally, in some embodiments, interference may be generated during at least a portion of the display time of the cards.

In some embodiments, noise immunity may be further determined based on the time from the beginning of the display of the selected cards to the last answer of the subject inversely proportional to the difference between the maximum possible number of correct answers and incorrect answers when performing the task without interference and in conditions of interference.

At the same time, for some embodiments, the noise immunity can be determined separately for each type of interference generated during the execution of the task. A number of specialists (see, for example, Maklakov A.G. "General Psychology", St. Petersburg: Peter, 2001) in this field of technology believe that the distribution of attention is the reverse side of its other property - switchability, respectively, in relation to the present method and its appointments can be spoken and switchable attention.

The purpose of the proposed method for measuring the level of concentration and switching attention is to reduce the measurement time (up to 2 minutes) while maintaining the reliability and validity of the data using the author's stimulus material and its interpretation algorithm.

The technical result of this solution is:

providing original stimulus material in the form of cards, including those with a changed configuration and color of the suit, which makes it possible to measure the level of concentration and attention switching under the influence of the prevailing stereotype of perception of the color of the suit of playing cards, regardless of the culture and level of education of the subjects; thus expanding the audience of subjects;

reduction of measurement time with high reliability and validity of the method - up to 2 minutes (due to various embodiments of the method and their combinations), including in conditions of interference (auditory, visual and vibration);

using the method as an operational pre-shift (current, pre-competitive) control, as well as during breaks in competitions or during shifts (control in progress);

the possibility of using the method in blank form, on a smartphone (phone, tablet or similar electronic device) in the form of an application, on a computer in the form of a test program installed on a computer or obtained via the Internet;

the task is reported to the subject individually before each test and is associated with the features of the provided stimulus material (the sequence of choice and color of the cards);

expanding the number of task options for the same stimulus material, for example, it is possible to perform the method in four options (the first option involves performing a task by choosing cards of the same suit of different colors in ascending order, and then by choosing cards of another suit of different colors in descending sequence; the second option involves the alternate selection of cards of different suits and different colors in ascending and descending sequence; the third option involves the task of choosing cards of the same suit of different colors in ascending order, and then choosing cards of the other suit of different colors in a descending sequence in conditions of interference; fourth option involves the alternating selection of cards of different suits and different colors in ascending and descending sequence in conditions of interference, it should be clear to the specialist that the examples given are not limiting, combinations of the described options are possible, as well as others, in part details such as are described in other sections of the description and in the prior art);

the possibility of coloristic change of the stimulus material during repeated execution of the method (red, black, blue, green, and so on in the full color spectrum);

fixing individual test results in the process of executing the method, processing them and providing a report on the success of the test.

The closest analogue of this solution is the measurement of the level of concentration and switching of attention by the "Red-black tables" method.

Brief description of the drawings

The present solution is illustrated by the following figures:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the present method.

Fig. 2 is an example of the implementation of the present method on an electronic device.

These figures are not limiting to the present invention and are provided only for a better understanding of the essence of the invention.

Implementation of the invention

The present invention includes several main steps of the method for determining the concentration of attention and/or switching attention of the subject, which are shown in Fig. 1 in block diagram form. In particular: reporting a message associated with a stimulus material containing at least two groups of stimulus material, wherein the first group contains the first stimulus material in the form of cards having a first color solution, the second group contains at least part of the first stimulus material in the form of cards, having a second color solution; selection of cards from the first and second groups of stimulus material;

demonstration of selected cards; fixing at least one response of the subject; checking the correctness of at least one answer of the subject; fixing the time spent by the subject on at least one answer, and / or the time from the beginning of the demonstration of the selected cards to the last answer of the subject; determining the concentration of attention and / or switching attention of the subject based on the time spent by the subject on at least one answer, and the correctness of at least one answer of the subject.

The stimulus material is playing cards of various colors (in the full color spectrum, in particular red, black, white, yellow, blue, green, but other colors are also possible, it is preferable to choose color solutions that contrast with each other, while in some embodiments of the invention, it may be preferable to choose color solutions that are not contrasting with each other), shown on a form or screen of a technical device (smartphone, telephone, computer, electronic device with a visual output) in the form of a table of cards, including with a changed color card suit (for example, red spades, red hearts, black spades, black hearts, red diamonds, black diamonds, red crosses, black crosses, etc. Other colors are possible in the full color spectrum). The table is a set of cards (from 2 to king, but realizations are possible from ace to king, from 2 to ace, from 2 to 10, from jack to king, from jack to ace, the use of jokers) of two suits (with no loss of generality) you can talk about more suits, for example, three, four, as well as five, six, etc. (adding fictitious suits that are absent in a regular playing deck), the set of cards of each suit includes several colors, for example, red and black (or black and white, but other options are possible in the full color spectrum, in some options it is also possible to use different contrast, color saturation, brightness, for example, the use of black, white and gray cards). also noise immunity under the influence of the prevailing stereotype of perception of the color of the suit of playing cards, regardless of the culture and level of education of the subjects. playing cards requires you to maintain concentration during the task under the influence of a well-established representation that provokes a stereotyped perception of information that does not correspond to reality (the colors of the suit of playing cards). When performing the test repeatedly, the technique involves changing the suit of cards and its colors in the full color spectrum in order to avoid getting used to the stimulus. An increase in the cognitive load on the subject, due to overcoming the stereotype of the perception of the color of the suit of playing cards when performing the method, makes it possible to ensure the promptness of the procedure (the possibility of carrying it out up to 2 minutes) while maintaining the validity and reliability of the present solution. The stimulus material for all variants of the test is the same if several tests are performed with the subject. When the test is repeatedly performed, the method involves changing the suit of cards and its colors in the full color spectrum in order to avoid getting used to the stimulus. Depending on the goals of testing, it is possible to change the suit of cards and its colors in the full color spectrum within one test.

One embodiment of the present invention uses cards of the same suit, such as red spades and black spades. The subject is shown two cards: a dozen red spades and a dozen black spades, while according to the task, the subject must choose the black ten spades for the correct answer. In some embodiments, the task may be associated with the selection of the red ten of spades, i.e. a card that does not match the usual set of playing cards. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of cards, their meanings, color schemes, and card suits may differ from the example shown, which is simplified and intended only to understand the basic principles of the present invention.

The proposed method consists of at least four options for presenting stimulus material.

In the context of the present description, “instruction”, “task”, “message” should be understood as synonyms, which can be an audio output, a graphic output (in the form of text or verbal notation), a combination of these outputs. These concepts should be interpreted in the broadest form: something that informs the user (subject) about the task. Moreover, this message can be an instruction, or an indication that the test has begun, a prompt for execution, etc. In either case, the message will be associated with stimulus material.

An individual task for the first version of the method: for example, first, an instruction appears (demonstrated) on the smartphone screen (computer monitor or form) and two cards below: two cards of the same name of different suits or several cards. For example, the seven of hearts is black and the seven of spades is red. The name of the card suits in the instruction changes in accordance with the stimulus material presented. A red eight of hearts and a red eight of spades may also be shown. Also, the task can be communicated not only visually, but also, for example, by means of a voice message, as well as in a combined way (simultaneously visually and audibly).

The instruction when executed on a smartphone may be, for example, the following: “Dear user, you are invited to take a test. To do this, select the seven of hearts from the two cards below. It should be clear to specialists that the task may be associated with a different value of the cards, other colors, other suits.

Instructions when executed on a computer: “Dear user, you are invited to take a test. To do this, move the cursor over the seven of hearts from the two cards below and press the left mouse button. It should be clear to a specialist that the selection of a map on a computer, phone, smartphone and other devices can be implemented in various ways: by touching the screen, single, double, touch delay, pressing certain keys, positioning the pointer over a certain map or area, pronouncing certain sounds, gesture, etc. Specific options depend on the device type, device functionality, camera, keyboard, speakers, microphone, etc.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the instruction, when executed on the form, may look like this: “You are invited to take a test. To do this, point to the seven of hearts from the cards below.

If the subject identified the card incorrectly, then he is informed of an error and is asked to read the instructions again (or the task is otherwise reported), continue the choice until the correct answer is received, excluding the stereotype of perception of the color of the suit of playing cards.

After the correct identification of the card, the subject is presented with instructions for the test.

In FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention on an electronic device, for example, a smartphone - 1. A message - 2 is reported on the screen of the smartphone (1), which, without loss of generality, is also referred to in the present description as an instruction, a task. Also, the smartphone (1) has an additional information area - 3, which can provide data on the mode of operation of the smartphone (1), application data and other information. In area (4) cards are shown, in particular, figure 2 shows two cards: a red seven of spades and a red seven of hearts. The smartphone screen (1) shows a button - 5 or a group of buttons that allow you to control the application, for example, start testing, end, pause (in this case, the cards may darken, be hidden, turn upside down, etc.), turn on voice control, gesture control, select cards or move the cursor between cards, etc. Additionally, the application and the smartphone (1) can be controlled using the buttons located in the area (6) of the smartphone. It should be clear to specialists that the given example of the arrangement of elements is a special case, and modern devices allow users to customize the appearance, presence and functionality of buttons in applications and electronic devices.

For example, when executed on a smartphone, the instruction (task) may look like this: “Dear user, on your screen there are cards of different suits. You must find the cards of the suit of hearts in ascending order - from 2 to King. For example: two of hearts, three of hearts, four of hearts, etc. The selection is activated with a single touch. If you violated the proposed selection sequence, continue the selection taking into account the mistake made, without violating the order of the sequence (as if you had chosen the right card). It is necessary to work as quickly as possible, at the same time without error. The name of the card suits changes depending on the stimulus material presented. The color scheme of the cards may change with each subsequent presentation of the test.

Instructions when executed on a computer: “Dear subject, on your monitor there are 12 cards of different suits (spade and hearts). You must find the cards of the suit of hearts in ascending order - from 2 to King. For example: two of hearts, three of hearts, four of hearts, etc. The selection is activated by hovering over and pressing the left mouse button. If you have violated the proposed selection sequence, continue the selection taking into account the mistake made, without violating the order of the sequence (as if you had chosen the right card). It is necessary to work as quickly as possible, at the same time without error. The name of the card suits changes depending on the stimulus material presented. The color scheme of the cards may change with each subsequent presentation of the test.

An example of an instruction when executed on a blank: “Your blank contains 10 cards of different suits (spade and hearts). You must find the cards of the suit of hearts in ascending order. For example: two of hearts, three of hearts, four of hearts, etc. If you violated the proposed selection sequence by incorrectly indicating the card, continue the selection taking into account the mistake made, without violating the order of the sequence (as if you had chosen the correct card). It is necessary to work as quickly as possible, at the same time without error. The name of the card suits changes depending on the stimulus material presented. The color scheme of the cards may change with each subsequent presentation of the test.

After completing this stage, the subject is presented with the following instructions.

When performed on a smartphone: “Now you must find the cards of the suit of spades in descending order - from King to 2. For example: King of Spades, Queen of Spades, Jack of Spades, etc. The selection is activated with a single touch. If you have violated the proposed selection sequence, continue the selection taking into account the mistake made, without violating the order of the sequence (as if you had chosen the right card). It is necessary to work as quickly as possible, at the same time without error. The name of the card suits changes depending on the stimulus material presented. The color scheme of the cards may change with each subsequent presentation of the test.

An example of an instruction when executed on a computer: “Now you must find the cards of the suit of spades in descending order - from King to 2. For example: King of Spades, Queen of Spades, Jack of Spades. The selection is activated by hovering over and pressing the left mouse button. If you have violated the proposed selection sequence, continue the selection taking into account the mistake made, without violating the order of the sequence (as if you had chosen the right card). It is necessary to work as quickly as possible, at the same time without error. The name of the card suits changes depending on the stimulus material presented. The color scheme of the cards may change with each subsequent presentation of the test.

The instruction when executed on the form may have, for example, the following form: “Now you must find the cards of the suit of spades in descending order - from Ace to 2. For example: Ace of Spades, King of Spades, Queen of Spades, Jack of Spades. If you violated the proposed selection sequence by incorrectly indicating the card, continue the elections taking into account the mistake made, without violating the order of the sequence (as if you had chosen the correct card). It is necessary to work as quickly as possible, at the same time without error. The name of the card suits changes depending on the stimulus material presented. The color scheme of the cards may change with each subsequent presentation of the test.

It should be clear to specialists that the number of cards of stimulus material, as well as the number of cards shown to the subject (selected cards) may differ. Accordingly, the authors of the invention considered options with the following numbers of cards: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 , 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. It is clear that the number of cards can be large. In a preferred embodiment, the cards are arranged in rectangles, such as 6 by 4 or 4 by 6, 5 by 3, 2 by 1, 1 by 2, etc. Embodiments are also contemplated where blank cards with a neutral background ("dummy cards") are displayed, i.e. designed to fill the rectangle when there is a shortage of cards from the first, second and third groups (for example, according to the task (instruction), 10 cards can be used, while the cards are located in a 3 by 4 rectangle, respectively, an additional 2 cards are included in the rectangle (selected cards) - pacifiers). Empty cards are not associated with the task (instruction, message shown to the subject), respectively, the choice of these cards in some cases may be counted as erroneous, or the choice may be impossible in principle. It is possible to arrange the cards not in the form of a table, but in a chaotic order (without a table, partially overlapping each other, the location of the cards in a circle, ellipse, another curve, at an equal distance from each other or, conversely, an unequal distance, rotated relative to each other by the same or different angles, for example, “two” is located with the card tilted to the right side, and “three” is tilted to the left side).

An individual task for the second embodiment of the method is carried out as follows.

First, an instruction appears on the smartphone screen (computer monitor or blank) and two cards below: two cards of the same name of different suits. For example: the seven of hearts is black and the seven of spades is red. The name of the card suits in the instruction changes in accordance with the stimulus material presented. It should be clear to the specialist that there may be more cards, suits and colors may differ. In addition, the task can be shown visually, and also be voiced, or there can be a combination of visual reproduction and auditory (it should also be understood that the auditory task and the visual task may differ, of course, keeping the general meaning of the task (for example, to save space on the screen or reducing the time of the audio message).

Instructions when performed on a smartphone: “You are invited to take a test. To do this, select the seven of hearts from the two cards below with a single touch. When the task is repeated, the color, suit, value of the card, the method of choosing a card may differ, for example, the first time the task is performed, the choice is made by a single touch, and when it is repeated, it can be done by voice command, for example: "Left card" or "Bottom card". The presentation of maps may be horizontal, vertical, or otherwise in some embodiments.

Instructions when executed on a computer: “Dear user, you are invited to take a test. To do this, move the cursor over the seven of hearts from the two cards below and press the left mouse button.

The instruction when executed on the form may be, for example, the following: “You are invited to take a test. To do this, point to the seven of hearts from the two cards below.

If the subject identified the card incorrectly, then in some embodiments an error is reported to him and he is asked to read the instruction again, the task is displayed again, the task or a combination of the above actions is voiced, and then continue the choice until the correct answer is received, excluding the stereotype of perception of the color of the suit of playing cards .

After the correct identification of the card, the subject is presented with instructions for the test.

An example of instructions when executed on a smartphone: “Your screen has 12 cards of different suits (spade and hearts). You must alternately find heart cards in ascending order (from 2 to King) and spades cards in descending order (from King to 2). For example: two of hearts, king of spades, three of hearts, queen of spades. The selection is activated by double tapping. If you have violated the proposed selection sequence, continue the selection taking into account the mistake made, without violating the order of the sequence (as if you had chosen the right card). It is necessary to work as quickly as possible, at the same time without error. The name of the card suits changes depending on the stimulus material presented. The color scheme of the cards may change with each subsequent presentation of the test. The number of cards presented can also be changed, for example, during the first test, there may be more or less cards than during the second test.

It should be clear to specialists that the number of cards of stimulus material, as well as the number of cards shown to the subject (selected cards) may differ. Accordingly, the authors of the invention considered options with the following numbers of cards: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 , 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. It is clear that the number of cards can be large. In a preferred embodiment, the cards are arranged in rectangles, such as 6 by 4 or 4 by 6, 5 by 3, 2 by 1, 1 by 2, etc. Embodiments are also contemplated where blank (blank) cards are shown with a neutral background, i. e. designed to fill the rectangle when there is a shortage of cards from the first, second and third groups (for example, according to the task (instruction), 10 cards can be used, while the cards are located in a 3 by 4 rectangle, respectively, an additional 2 cards are included in the rectangle (selected cards) - pacifiers). Empty cards are not associated with the task (instruction, message shown to the subject), respectively, the choice of these cards in some cases may be counted as erroneous, or the choice may be impossible in principle.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the task (message) may differ from those described above in that the subject (user) should find and mark the cards not in order, but in a certain sequence. Such a sequence can be determined, for example, by the examiner or programmatically. The sequence can be arbitrary, including repetitions, i.e. the test subject may need to mark the same card several times (more than once, for example, two or three times) for a correct answer during the test. In some embodiments, the sequence may be randomly generated before the start of the test, or after the subject's response (i.e., during testing).

An example of an instruction when executed on a computer: “Your monitor has 11 cards of different suits (spades and hearts). You must alternately find heart cards in ascending order (from 3 to King) and spades cards in descending order (from King to 3). For example: Three of Hearts, King of Spades, Four of Hearts, Queen of Spades. The selection is activated by hovering over and pressing the left mouse button. If you have violated the proposed selection sequence, continue the selection taking into account the mistake made, without violating the order of the sequence (as if you had chosen the right card). It is necessary to work as quickly as possible, at the same time without error. The name of the card suits changes depending on the stimulus material presented. The color scheme of the cards may change with each subsequent presentation of the test.

Instructions for execution on the blank: “Your blank contains 12 cards of different suits (spade and hearts). You must alternately find heart cards in ascending order (from 2 to King) and spades cards in descending order (from King to 2). For example: two of hearts, king of spades, three of hearts, queen of spades. If you violated the proposed selection sequence by incorrectly indicating the card, continue the elections taking into account the mistake made, without violating the order of the sequence (as if you had chosen the correct card). It is necessary to work as quickly as possible, at the same time without error. The name of the card suits changes depending on the stimulus material presented. The color scheme of the cards may change with each subsequent presentation of the test.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the test is conducted in noise mode. Interference can be of various types, in particular visual, auditory, tactile. As a non-limiting example, interference can be in the form of constant or episodic ripples in all or part of the screen of devices. In addition to ripples, distortion of the displayed area of the screen or part of the screen, jitter, which can also be constant or episodic, as well as other types of interference, can be applied. As examples of audible interference, various sounds, message transmission, interference sound transmission (for example, as when searching for radio stations), broadcasting of radio stations, television broadcasts, etc. can be used. Also, in one embodiment, task messages containing errors can be broadcast episodically, for example, the subject should find a black card jack of hearts (looks like a black heart with a value of jack), but at this moment he is told that he should find a red card of a suit of diamonds with a value lady (in this case, the card that is present in this test, as well as the card that is absent) can be called), a message about an erroneous choice of a card, which does not correspond to reality, can also be presented. Vibration of a phone or tablet, vibration of a manipulator (for example, a joystick, such as a mouse, keyboard, if they are equipped with feedback) can be used as tactile interference. All interference options can be used separately from each other, alternately, simultaneously, in combinations with each other.

When performing the method on the form, the stimulus material is presented in the form of paper tables. When the method is performed on an electronic device, the stimulus material is provided on the screen of the device. The description of the sequence of demonstration of the stimulus material is presented in the description of the individual task for each of the embodiments of the method.

When performing the method on the form, the experimenter fixes the time of the test, the sequence of choosing cards, taking into account their suit, color, and the correctness of the answers of the subject. When the method is performed on an electronic device (smartphone or computer, for example), when a subject chooses a card, data on the choice of a card and its suit is automatically collected, which is stored in the database for this subject. A combination of fixation options is also possible, when the experimenter fixes together with an electronic device.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the determination of concentration of attention and/or switching of attention, as well as noise immunity, is carried out not on the electronic device on which the subject is being tested, but on a remote device, for example, a remote server. This embodiment has improved security against software tampering and test tampering. Accordingly, data on the choice of cards, time are transmitted to the remote server, but data on the integrity of the software (for example, the hash of the sum of part or all of the program files), data on the location of the cursor, user touches on touch input, sounds, device data and others can also be transmitted. options. Those skilled in the art are aware of methods for processing such data to detect attempts to bypass the software protection system and reduce the validity and reliability of the present test described in the present invention.

Validation is carried out on the basis of the compliance of the choices made with the algorithm specified by the instruction and the suit of the cards. When the method is performed on an electronic device (smartphone, telephone, tablet or computer), the data obtained are analyzed in relation to the compliance of the choices made with the algorithm and card suit specified by the instruction.

When executing this method, the time of the test execution is fixed. When the test is presented on the form, the test execution time is fixed by the experimenter; when the method is performed on an electronic device, the test execution time is automatically recorded in the software. In this case, the total time for completing the task, the time spent by the subject on each answer, the time spent by the subject on answers related to a certain value of cards, with a certain color of cards, a certain suit of cards, can be recorded. In an embodiment of the interference shaping method, at least a portion of the following data is additionally recorded: type of interference, duration of interference, time taken to select a card (response) under interference; the presence of several interferences at the same time and their types; the fact of the response by the subjects during the interference or in the interval between interference.

When performing testing with interference, it should be understood that the method can be divided into a test series with interference and a series without interference. For example, a series without interference may include the task of determining cards from six to ten, and with interference from jack to king. It should be understood that the series do not have to be of the same length, and the test may include several series: a series without interference - from two to five, a series with auditory interference - from six to eight, a series without interference - nine, a series with visual interference - ten, a series with tactile interference - jack, a series without interference from the queen to the joker.

For an embodiment of the present invention in which the subject is to select cards in ascending and descending order for different suits, the following formula may be applied. Also, the formula can be applied with several repetitions of one test (in this case, different cards may appear in the tests, their different number, different arrangement of cards relative to each other). The same formulas can also be applied when using interference, respectively, with several test series, the first series is performed without interference, and the second - with interference (noise immunity is determined based on the difference in time spent by the test subject at least one answer without interference and one answer under conditions interference, as well as the correctness of at least one answer of the subject). It should be clear to specialists that the above formulas may contain correction factors, refer to different suits, respectively, the above formulas show only general principles for determining the concentration of attention and / or switching attention, as well as noise immunity, which consists in determining the maximum possible number of correct answers, the number of incorrect answers , the time from the beginning of the display of the selected cards to the last answer of the subject, determining the concentration and / or switching of the attention of the subject based on the time from the beginning of the display of the selected cards to the last answer of the subject is inversely proportional to the difference between the maximum possible number of correct answers and incorrect answers. Noise immunity can be determined based on the time from the beginning of the display of the selected cards to the last answer of the subject in inverse proportion to the difference between the maximum possible number of correct answers and incorrect answers when performing the test without noise and under noise conditions.

B=T1/(A1-N1) - T2/(A2-N2)

A - the maximum number of correct choices for the corresponding series of execution;

N is the number of errors;

N1 - the number of errors during the execution of the first series - the search for cards of a suit, for example, hearts;

N2 - the number of errors during the execution of the second series - the search for cards of a suit, for example, a spade;

T - execution time;

T1 - execution time of the first series - the search for cards of the suit of hearts;

T2 - execution time of the second series - search for cards of the suit of spades;

B - concentration and switching of attention.

For the second version of the method:

B=TV(A-N)

B - concentration and switching of attention;

A is the maximum number of correct choices;

N is the number of errors;

T - execution time.

The described invention in all embodiments can be implemented on modern technical devices, in particular phones, tablets, computers. The tests carried out showed high validity and reliability of the results, the possibility of using it to quickly measure the level of concentration and switch the attention of workers in hazardous activities and athletes.

Claims (15)

1. A method for determining the concentration of attention and switching the attention of the subject, including: the use of stimulus material in the form of cards and containing at least two groups of stimulus material, wherein the first group contains the first stimulus material in the form of cards having a first color solution, the second group contains at least part of the first stimulus material in the form of cards having a second color solution , selection of cards from the first and second groups of stimulus material, demonstration of selected cards, fixing at least one response of the subject, checking the correctness of at least one answer of the subject, fixing the time from the beginning of the demonstration of the selected cards to the last answer of the subject (T), determination of the maximum possible number of correct answers, the number of incorrect answers, determination of the concentration of attention and switching of attention of the subject is carried out on the basis of the ratio of time from the beginning of the demonstration of the selected cards to the last answer of the subject (T) to the difference between the maximum possible number of correct answers and the number of incorrect answers. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the stimulus material contains a third group containing the second stimulus material in the form of cards having a second color solution, and the selection of cards additionally includes a selection from the third group of stimulus material. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the stimulus material contains a fourth group, including at least the first and/or second stimulus material with a third color solution, and the selection of cards additionally includes the selection of a stimulus material from the fourth group. 4. The method of claim. 1, characterized in that the choice of cards includes stimulus material, made in the form of blank cards. 5. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, in which, during the execution of the task, the subjects are given interference of at least one of the types: auditory, visual, tactile. 6. The method according to claim 5, in which the noise immunity is additionally determined based on the time from the beginning of the demonstration of the selected cards to the last answer of the subject in inverse proportion to the difference between the maximum possible number of correct answers and incorrect answers when performing the task without interference and in conditions of interference. 7. The method according to claim 6, in which the noise immunity is determined separately for each type of interference.

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