Middle Arrow
Tap the way the middle arrow points, and pay no attention to the arrows around it.
About this game
Middle Arrow is a focus game. A row of arrows appears, and you choose Left or Right for the one in the centre. The arrows beside it often point the other way to pull you off. The rule never changes: only the centre counts.
It is based on the flanker task, a classic way to study how we pick out one thing among distractions. As you get answers right, the rows grow longer and more of the neighbours point the wrong way. After a mistake they ease off. There is no clock, so careful beats quick.
How to play
- Try the short example first, or skip it.
- Look at the centre arrow and choose Left or Right, with the buttons or the arrow keys.
- After a mistake, the centre arrow is highlighted for a moment so you can see it, then the next row comes up by itself.
- Keep going to the end of the round to see your score.
Tips
- Keep your eyes on the centre of the row.
- Take your time. Right answers add to your score and wrong ones take away from it, so a guess doesn't pay.
- On a long row, find the middle arrow first, then decide.
How it adapts
Two right answers in a row move you up a level, and one mistake moves you down. Your first round starts with a single arrow. Kids go as far as rows of five arrows; teens and adults reach rows of seven.
Questions
What is the flanker task?
It is an attention task: you respond to a target in the middle and ignore the items beside it, which may point the other way.
Why do the outer arrows sometimes point the other way?
To pull your attention away. Only the centre arrow decides the answer.
Is it better to be fast or accurate?
Accurate. There is no clock and no bonus for speed, so take the time you need.
Does a streak change my score?
No. The streak counter shows how many you have got right in a row. It doesn't add points.
Can I use the keyboard?
Yes. Use the Left and Right arrow keys, or A and D. The row also has a text description.
The research behind it
The flanker task has been used since the 1970s to study how people pick out one thing and ignore what sits right beside it.
