Stroop Effect-named after J. Ridley Stroop -described in the 1930s-referred to these tests as RCNs or Reading Color Names –where participants were required to repeat the written word with differing colored fonts-and NCWs or Naming Colored Words – where participants were asked to verbally identify the color of each printed color name

-Stroop noticed a large increase on the time take to complete the NCW portion of the test-doesn’t improve with practice!-theorized that there was interference caused by the automatization of reading

-where the mind automatically determines the semantic meaning of the word and overrides its first impression which is the identification of the color

-in other words – once we learn to read – this takes priority overidentifying something more simple as color (i.e. RCN>NCW)

-the Stroop test measures this interference-used to investigate other psychologic disorders as ADHD, schizophrenia and anorexia – areas that involve the Anterior Cingulate Gyrus (an area of the brain involved in attention, motivation, error detection)

Stroop test #1 (NCW)

• Read the color of the word

• Piece of cake right??

Stroop test #2 (RCN)• Read the word and time yourself – NOT the

color

• Still easy right?

Stroop test #3• Now….. Read the color of the word and time

yourself – NOT the word

• Not so easy, eh??

The results• Reading a color is simple right? • Only when it matches the word!• When the color and word match its easy. That’s RCN

– But you are actually reading the word and NOT the color – RCN>NCW

• But when the RCN and NCW are different – you slow down!!!

Number Stroop test

• Read the word in the box

catcatcat

penpen car

doordoordoordoor

flagflag ball

handhandhand

flagflagflag

car handhand

doordoordoor

ballball

penpenpenpen

cat

catcat door car

car

ballballballball

handhand

flagflagflag

penpenpen

Set #1

• Count the number of words in the box• Which task was easier/faster??

catcatcat

penpen car

doordoordoordoor

flagflag ball

handhandhand

flagflagflag

car handhand

doordoordoor

ballball

penpenpenpen

cat

catcat door car

car

ballballballball

handhand

flagflagflag

penpenpen

• Be honest …… You slowed down didn’t you?• Words still have priority

• Again…say the words first• Then count the number of words in the box

threethree

oneoneoneone

fourtwotwotwo

fourfour

twotwotwo

three

twotwotwo

three fourfour

oneoneone

threethree

twotwotwotwo

four

oneone two three

three

oneoneoneone

fourfour

twotwotwo

oneoneone

Directional Stroop

• Name the word in the box

• Give the Direction of the word in the box– Is it on the top? On the left? Etc…..

• Again – words take precedence?• Plus – girls are lousy at right/left! • Don’t laugh boys – at least girls ask for directions!!

Stroop for kids• What is the animal? (don’t read the word)

• Aha! But you are still reading the word• Don’t believe me??

• Read the word

• Now…. Identify the animal again

The Stroop effect and Pain

• Researchers have postulated the Anterior Cingulate gyrus is also involved in pain processing

• Your perception of pain can be decreased by performing the Stroop test

• Don’t believe me?• Have your partner repeat these tests while

you punch him/her!• JUST KIDDING!!!!!!