What is the 3 Word Memory Test Going Viral Among Gamers
The 3 word memory test, clinically known as the Mini-Cog, has recently blown up on online gaming forums and YouTube channels. This rapid dementia screening tool resembles a fun brain training game causing it to catch on as a viral meme and challenge within the gamer community.
What Exactly is the 3 Word Memory Test?
The 3 word memory test, also called the Mini-Cog, is a short screening tool that doctors use to check for early signs of Alzheimer‘s disease and other memory-loss conditions. It only takes about 3 minutes and feels like a fun brain teaser game.
How Does the 3 Word Memory Test Work?
The steps are simple:
The doctor or administer says 3 random unrelated words, usually concrete nouns like "banana", "sunrise", "chair".
The patient repeats the words out loud to register them into short-term memory and confirm they heard correctly.
The patient draws a clock showing a specific time, typically 11:10. This tests visuospatial and executive functioning abilities.
After finishing the clock drawing, the patient recalls as many of the 3 words they can.
Scoring the 3 Word Memory Test
Scoring is based on the ability to both recall the words and draw the clock face properly:
- Recalling 0 words indicates likely cognitive impairment even if clock is normal
- Recalling 1-2 words suggests further assessment may be needed
- Recalling 3 words and drawing a good clock is considered normal and means dementia is unlikely
While not diagnostic itself, the 3 word memory test serves as a rapid way to screen for signs something may be wrong with memory and thinking that requires a fuller medical workup.
Why Gamers Love the 3 Word Memory Test
Gamers are drawn to mini mind games and brain training challenges. The 3 word memory test went viral because its game-like format and simple but hard challenge taps into what makes casual games so addictive and shareable.
The Appeal of Quick Brain Training Games
Gamers obsess over reaction time, processing speed, working memory, and other cognitive skills that give an edge in intense multiplayer matches. Mobile brain games promise to sharpen those mental reflexes in just a few minutes per day.
The 3 word memory test delivers that instantly gratifying gameplay loop. Its short duration and one-shot pass/fail scoring provides a bite-sized cognitive challenge. Getting a perfect score by recalling 3 random words after drawing a clock tests focus, concentration, visual memory, and mental stamina rapidly like the hottest new puzzle game.
It‘s an Approachable Party Trick and Meme
Viral trends in the gaming world often start as fun party gags to impress friends. The 3 word memory challenge took off because it‘s simple enough to instantly try at home as a parlor trick to test your own memory capacity or compete against family members. Like tossing wet sticky notes on faces, it makes for funnyreaction videos and meme fodder.
Pop Culture References in Games
The mental battle of remembering 3 random words has worked its way into monologues by stand-up comedians and cameos in situation comedies on Netflix. As more writers weave the test into pop culture entertainment, gamers recognize the references from playing Fortnite and Call of Duty with friends.
Comparison to Brain Age on Nintendo DS
Brain Age was a hit Nintendo DS game in 2005 that had users complete mental exercise challenges daily to get an assessed "brain age". Its quick activities testing math, memory, logic prompted the spread of brain training games on mobile. Fans discuss how the 3 word memory test could fit right into a new Brain Age title.
Latest Gaming Trends and Memes Related to the Test
As the 3 word memory test continues going viral in 2022, gaming bloggers and forum posters have started parody skits and gameplay concepts related to it:
- Multiplayer adaptations similar to Wordle where players take turns drawing a clock and recalling word sets
- Modding classic game boss battles to phase in random word memorization mechanics
- Pet simulator clone where virtual cats and dogs dig up randomly generated word trios to remember
- 8-bit demake that has users dodge obstacles while collecting memory test words in a 2D scroller format
- Battle royale title called "Last Memory Standing" with 100 contestants competing to recall the most words before getting eliminated
While medically designed to screen for cognitive issues, the gaming community has taken the simple and clever 3 word memory test and run wild with it into streams, eSports events, Let‘s Plays, and more as the next big gaming craze. It‘s fun adaptations and mental challenge have captured gamer imagination with no signs of stopping.
