In this multi-part task, the kids must rapidly generate a list of 15 words, giving a nice example of semantic networks (“cat! dog!” and “pineapple, pear, fruit, apple, leaf!”). After a sequence of silly interference tasks, they are asked to recall their words. The w
ay they show their responses clearly illustrates primacy and recency effects (for example, at 16:32).
The task starts at 8:00 and ends at 17:40 so it’s pretty long, but there’s a lot in the middle that could get cut.
Posted in Cognitive Psychology
In the final task of the show, the contestants are asked to do a series of actions with their partner (e.g., tickling them, smelling them, etc.). The twist: the action they have to execute is the *previously said* action, not the current one. In other words: the N-1 action. This is a fun (and clearly, super challenging) twist on a classic N-back task. Task starts at 41:00.
Posted in Cognitive Psychology, and Linguistics
The final task of the show is a team task in which teams are given a category by Greg, and must simultaneously, without conferring, name something in that category. Points are given if both team members say the same item in the category. This clip could be shown to demonstrate how some items feel more representative of a category than others.
The full task lasts from 40:36-44:30. It gets a bit silly at the end but what’s a Taskmaster clip without a bit of silliness. I also suspect this same game could be used as a fun class demonstration with a few solid volunteers, but haven’t tried it!
In this team task, the contestants had to direct their blindfolded teammates to a particular spot using only three words at a time, every 30 seconds. To accomplish the task, the “directors” need to put themselves in the shoes of their blindfolded teammates.
This task is a nice demonstration to show alongside a discussion of establishing common ground and referential communication.
The full task goes from 28:47 to 38:07, but ending at 32:18 is probably sufficient for a demo.
This is one of my favorite tasks of all time, and a fun illustration to complement a discussion of lateral thinking and creativity, and ties to functional fixedness. I usually play this video to support a discussion of problem-solving, and how schemas constrain our approaches to problem-solving. It pairs nicely with the more classic examples, like the Candle Problem and Two-String Problem.
The entire task runs from 14:12-20:40, and be aware that there is a bit of colorful language shortly after 20:40.
Contestants only had a few moments to memorize the list of tasks as it goes up in flames, but could enhance their memory for the tasks if they realized what organization underlied the list!
The full task lasts from 07:00-18:10. The demonstration clip can be shortened by showing a relatively unsuccessful attempt and a relatively successful attempt (14:40-18:10).