Equipment

Below is a list of the Psychology lab equipment and Neuropsychological tests that are available for you to use. Before you can book equipment, permission from your supervisor is needed and training may be required. To use any of the equipment below, you will need to book it out using Siso.

Biopac MP36

Biopac provides computerised physiological measurement and interpretation, including heart signals (ECG), brain waves (EEG), muscle tension (EMG), eye-movement (EOG), reaction times, and polygraph functions. Biopac must be booked with one of the Science Department Laptops due to the software required. Students can also download free BSL software to their personal devices which includes guided video lessons on how to use Biopac as well as the ability to analyse, share and submit data. Training is required before use of this equipment (13 available).

Brainbox Nurostym tES

Nurostym tES is a complete transcranial electrical stimulation device with options for tDCS, tACS, tRNS, pulsed tDCS, AM-tACS and Analogue Input stimulation modes. The touchscreen tES machine is user-friendly, has advanced safety functions, and offers fully programmable protocols including with sham and double-blind control options. Stimulation can be configured and controlled from the Windows computer application (available on the bookable Science Department laptops). Training is required before use of this equipment.

Dell Laptop (E5570)

Laptops for use in the west end of Campus (SN, TE, WE, CN) only. Software includes JASP, PsychoPy, R, R Studio, MesurLite, and Biopac.

Infinity 3 Function USB Foot Pedal

The Infinity 3 Function USB Foot Pedal allows you to easily play/pause, fast forward and rewind audio files, making it ideal when transcribing interview data. Requires the Express Scribe Transcription Software to run which can be downloaded here, or can be used with one of the bookable Science department laptops.

Lafayette Automatic Scoring Mirror Tracer

The Lafayette Automatic Scoring Mirror Tracer requires participants to trace the star pattern based on the mirror image, and tests participant’s reversal ability, hand-eye coordination and learning. The impulse counter measures the number of times the metal-tipped stylus leaves the anodised star pattern (2 available).

MK2 Eye Tracker Toolbox

The MK2 Eyetracker is a high speed video eye tracker for use with oculomotor research. It can be used with the Visage Stimulus Generator which is used to present calibrated stimuli. Training is required before use of this equipment.

Pupil Core Eye Tracker

The Pupil Core is an eye tracking platform that is comprised of a wearable eye tracking headset and an open source software suite. The wearable eyeglasses-like frame includes one inward facing eye camera and one forward-facing world camera, allowing the subject to move freely whilst eyes are tracked and field of vision recorded.

Wagner FPX Algometer

The Wagner Algometer is used for pain diagnostic testing. It reliability measures pain in muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments, as well as pain threshold and tolerance. Further details on the algometer and a how to guide can be found here.

Xbox One

X-Box One video game console with single controller for use in SN.G06.

Sheep Brains

There are preserved sheep brains and dissection charts, used as a teaching resource for module PSY6101, whilst a sheep brain hemisection can be viewed in the Zoology museum in the Gatehouse building (GH.201).

Human Brain Model

Human brain model, used as a teaching resource for module PSY6101. Contact Alexandra de Sousa for access.

Headphones

On-ear noise isolating, foldable cored headphones for use with the computers in SN.G14 (5x available).

Neuropsychological Tests

Below is our list of neuropsychological tests that are stored on campus. The tests are designed to measure a range of cognitive abilities in those of varying ages, and measure aspects of cognition such as memory, attention, perception, problem solving, language skills and decision-making. The tests are often used by clinical or neuropsychologists to assess the patient’s abilities and highlight both strengths and weaknesses, as well as allowing psychologists to make inferences about underlying brain function. If you wish to use any of the tests below, booking details can be found on Siso.

British Ability Scales (BAS) 2nd Edition

The BAS II is a battery of psychometric tests assessing cognitive abilities and educational achievement, designed for use with those age 2 years and six months to 17 years and 11 months. The tests are divided into two batteries: one for use with preschool children (Early Years battery) and one covering school years (School Age battery). The Early Years battery is composed of cognitive scales, whilst the School Age battery includes both cognitive and achievement scales. The achievement element consists of measures on basic literacy and numeracy skills, whilst the cognitive element of the scales assesses reasoning, perception, processing speed, and memory using verbal, numerical and figural materials. The 12 core sub-tests can be individually interpreted, meaning a child does not need to complete every test.

Dyslexia Adult Screening Test (DAST)

The DAST is used to screen for dyslexia and other learning difficulties in those aged 16 years and 5 months to age 75 years. It is intended for use by employment or education professionals (teachers or trainers) rather than qualified educational, clinical or occupational psychologists, and can be used as a first step to decide whether full assessment by a qualified psychologist is required. The DAST also provides a profile of both strengths and weaknesses which can be used to support education or work. The 11 tests (rapid naming, one minute reading, postural stability, phonemic segmentation, two minute spelling, backwards digit span, nonsense passage reading, nonverbal reasoning, one minute writing, verbal fluency, semantic fluency) are divided into tests of attainment (3 tests on reading, writing and spelling) which correspond with difficulties seen in children and some adults with dyslexia, and eight diagnostic tests which cover a range of skills known to be affected.

Raven's Progressive Matrices (Standard - SPM)

Raven’s Progressive Matrices are a non-verbal measure of mental ability. The SPM assess non-verbal reasoning in the general population but is also used for clinical, educational, occupational, and research settings. Designed for those age 6 to 80 years, the SPM consists of 60 problems (five sets of 12) which involve a participant completing a pattern or figure by choosing the correct missing piece among six alternatives. Administration takes between 15 and 45 minutes.

Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test 3rd Edition

The RBMT-3 is used to predict everyday memory problems in those with acquired, non-progressive brain injury, and allows for monitoring of change over time. The tests take around 30 minutes to administer and all tasks are analogous to everyday situations that are troublesome for memory-impaired patients. There are a variety of subtests (first and second names, belongings, appointments, picture recognition, story, face recognition, route, messages, orientation and date, novel task) which should ideally be administered in their entirety due to many of the tests having both immediate memory conditions and delayed recall/recognition conditions. The administrator should have training and experience with standardized clinical instruments and will often have qualifications in neuropsychology, clinical psych, occupational therapy or speech and language therapy. Students, technicians and researchers can administer and score tests under supervision but interpretation should be by a trained professional.

Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF)

The TOPF UK edition is a test estimating premorbid cognitive abilities. The measure can be used to estimate an individual’s cognitive and memory functioning before the onset of illness or injury. The test uses a list of 70 words with atypical grapheme-to-phoneme translation, is suitable for those age 16 to 89 years, and administration time is under 10 minutes.

Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV)

The WAIS-IV is designed to measure various aspects of cognitive ability in adults aged 16-90 years and can be used to obtain a comprehensive assessment of general cognitive functioning. The 15 subtests (Block design, similarities, digit span, matrix reasoning, vocabulary, arithmetic, symbol search, visual puzzles, information, coding, letter-number sequencing, figure weights, comprehension, cancellation, picture completion) can be individually administered or can be combined into four index scores (verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed) or can produce a full scale IQ score. The scores can then be used to identify learning difficulties, intellectual giftedness or cognitive strengths and weaknesses, and can help inform academic and neuropsychological evaluations. The tests should be administered by those with formal training in psychological assessment, however, a trained technician can administer and score but not interpret the scores.

Western Aphasia Battery - Revised (WAB-R)

The WAB-R is used to determine the presence, severity and type of aphasia in those following a stroke, dementia onset or other acquired neurological disorders, and can also be used to detect change over time. Designed for use with those aged 18 to 89 years, the WAB-R consists of 8 sections with a total of 32 tasks measuring both linguistic (speech content, fluency, auditory comprehension, repetition, naming, reading and writing) and non-linguistic (drawing, calculation, block design, apraxia) skills. The composite scores that can be obtained are Aphasia Quotient, Language Quotient and a Cortical Quotient score, which can be used to guide both aphasia treatment and management.

The bedside version can be administered in 15 minutes, the oral/verbal section of WAB-R (spontaneous speech, auditory comprehension, repetition, naming and word finding) can be administered in around. 30-45 minutes, whilst the reading, writing, apraxia constructional, visuospatial, calculation, and supplement writing and reading sections can be administered in 45-60 minutes. The administrator should have experience in administering cognitive assessments to those with acquired neurological dysfunction such as a speech-language pathologists, psychologists, physicians, psychometricians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, or nursing personnel.

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