Strooptest

The Stroop test is a psychological assessment that measures interference in a task requiring cognitive control. In the classic version, participants are asked to name the ink color of color words while ignoring the word meaning. The test reveals a reliable interference effect: naming is slower and more error-prone when the word and ink color are incongruent than when they are congruent or when neutral stimuli are used.

A standard protocol uses three core conditions: congruent (the word matches the ink color), incongruent (the word conflicts with the ink color), and a neutral control (such as colored shapes or non-color words). Participants must respond as quickly as possible to indicate the ink color. Reaction times and error rates are recorded to quantify the degree of interference.

Interpretation centers on cognitive control processes. The Stroop effect demonstrates the dominance of automatic word reading over the slower, controlled process of color naming, highlighting inhibitory control and selective attention. Variants include the Emotional Stroop, which uses emotionally loaded words, and other formats that modify stimuli or response methods to probe related constructs. Computerized versions provide precise timing and larger data sets.

Applications and limitations: The test is widely used in basic and clinical research to assess executive function, attention, and cognitive control. It has been applied to studies of aging, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, brain injury, and neurodegenerative conditions, as well as to monitor treatment effects. However, results can be influenced by language fluency, reading speed, culture, and educational background. Some critics view it as a crude measure of inhibition, and practice effects can affect reliability across sessions.