A Paradigm for Working Memory Research : The N-Back Tasks Collaborating with Information Theory

Abstract

The n-back paradigm has been popular for research about working memory, in which subjects are given specific and variable stimulus, and their performance (usually evaluated by reaction time) and brain signals showed by fMRI are significant data. There have been n-back tasks in many forms of different complexity, which could influence the result to some extent. In this paper, the author tries to use Shannon’s theory about information entropy to evaluate it, and find the relationship between the amount of information and subjects’ performance. At last, conjectures about working memory model are made and information theory is proved to be a powerful tool to guide n-back test design.