Antoine Bechara, PhD
Purpose: Assists in the evaluation of decision making mediated by the prefrontal cortex.
Age: 18 through to 79 years
Admin: Individual
Time: 15-20 minutes to administer and score
Sample Reports:
The IGT originally developed to assist in detecting decision-making impairment in patients with prefrontal cortex damage, is a computerized assessment that is carried out in real time and resembles real-world contingencies. Specifically, the task allows examinees to select cards from four decks displayed on-screen. Examinees are instructed that the selection of each card will result in winning money but that, every so often, a card selection also will result in losing money. Examinees are told to attempt to accumulate as much money as possible.
Special Features
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Several optional settings can be customized by the examiner prior to administration, including:
- Intertrial interval
- Number of trials (i.e., card selections)
- Type of currency
- Starting amount of money
- Two export formats are available, enabling flexibility with data management.
- Import features enable the user to import data from previous versions of the IGT.
Evidence provided by a number of research studies suggests that the IGT is a valid measure. Specifically, the IGT has been used in studies examining decision-making capacity in a variety of populations, including:
- Focal brain lesions
- Intact older adults
- Substance addiction
- Pathological gambling
- Schizophrenia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Anorexia nervosa
- Obesity
- Chronic pain
- ADHD
- Aggression disorders
- Affective disorders
- Huntington's disease
The IGT materials include the Professional Manual, a CD-ROM that includes the task itself, On-Screen Help, a laminated Administration Card, and a Quick Start Guide to help users with software installation and technical details.
Requirements: Windows® 2000/XP/Vista™; NTFS file system; CD-ROM drive for installation; Internet connection or telephone for software activation
