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Stroop — attention & inhibition

💡Benefits

The Stroop effect (Stroop, 1935) is one of psychology's most famous experiments. When a word's meaning and colour conflict, suppressing the wrong answer trains attention control and executive function (Diamond, 2013).

🎮How to play

A colour word appears, but it is painted in a different colour. Choose the INK colour, not the WORD's meaning.

📚Scientific sources

  1. Stroop (1935). Studies of interference in serial verbal reactions. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 18(6), 643–662. https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Studies+of+interference+in+serial+verbal+reactions+Stroop+1935
  2. Diamond (2013). Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology, 64, 135–168. https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Executive+functions+Diamond+2013+Annual+Review+of+Psychology

❓Frequently asked questions

You must name the color a word is painted in, not read the word itself, which strengthens focus and the ability to suppress an unwanted impulse, known as inhibition.
Yes, on MentalMath the Stroop test is available free and without registration.
The brain reads words automatically, so naming the color means holding back that automatic response, and this is exactly what trains mental control.
A child who can read color names can play from about age 6-7.
Yes, it works on phone, tablet and computer; 5 minutes of regular daily practice improves attention control.
Start playing 🚀

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