Millisecond Forums

Fixed timeout after several trials

https://forums.millisecond.com/Topic12874.aspx

By HannahFer - 4/1/2014

Hi all,

I am busy with programming an anagram stress task. I want the task to look like this:

20 Anagrams

Each anagram will presented on the screen.

After 20 Seconds, participants will hear a stressful "beep-sound, which indicates that they now should move on to the next anagram (by pressing the space button). They can also choose to go on with the present anagram. When they move to the next anagram, again after 20 seconds they will hear a beep sound.

I want the task to end automatically after 400 seconds, irrespective of the participant's persistence to go on after a beep.

I have two problems:
First: How can I program a beep that does not interfere with the task?
Second: Any idea how I can program such a "total" time-out, irrespective of the performance of the participants?

I am looking forward to your answer. As I am only beginning with inquisit programming, a rather detailed answer would really help... trying my best to get better!! :) Thanks a lot and sincerely yours,

Hannah
By Dave - 4/1/2014

> First: How can I program a beep that does not interfere with the task?

Why do you think a beep would interfere in the first place? Please explain.

> Second: Any idea how I can program such a "total" time-out, irrespective of the performance of the participants?

You can specify a /timeout at the <block> level:

<block myblock>
/ trials = [1-6=myopenended]
/ timeout = 60000
</block>

<openended myopenended>
/ stimulustimes = [0=mytext; 10000=systembeep]
/ beginresponsetime = 0
/ position = (50%, 60%)
</openended>

<text mytext>
/ items = ("A", "B", "C", "D", "E", "F")
</text>