Spot the Change

Spot the Change is built on the change-detection paradigm used by Luck and Vogel (1997) to measure visual working-memory capacity. A grid of colored squares flashes; after a blank pause a second grid appears, sometimes with one square changed. Deciding "same or different" reveals how many items you can hold at once — for most adults, only about three or four.

Cognitive domain: Working Memory

A grid of colors appears briefly — memorize them. The screen blanks, then the grid returns; on half the trials one square has changed color. Tap Same or Changed. Each correct answer grows the grid, loading more items into memory. Answer as many as you can in 45 seconds.

Your score is how many trials you judge correctly in 45 seconds. On the MindSprint scale, around 26 is top-tier. As the grid grows the load exceeds most people's capacity limit, so staying accurate at larger sizes is what separates the top scores.

• Take in the whole grid at once rather than scanning square by square.
• Do not try to name every color — hold the overall configuration.
• Trust your gut on "same"; a change usually feels like it pops out.
• Stay relaxed as the grid grows; tension narrows what you can hold.

What does change detection measure?

Visual working-memory capacity — how many items you can hold and compare at once.

How many items can people hold?

Research (Luck & Vogel) puts the typical limit around three to four items.

Is it used in research?

Yes — it is a standard tool in visual working-memory and attention studies.