Emotional Stroop Experiment and Attention Theory

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1 Emotional Stroop Experiment and Attention Theory Brittany Nichols, Kylah Masterson, Brandi Vasquez, Sherri Santos-Orton, Kimberly Hartman, and Aleahbelle Brown Department of Psychology, Eastern New Mexico University Dr. Gary Bond March 1, 2020

2 Abstract

3 Introduction Attention has been a subject of experimental psychological literature for decades, especially concerning interference. The study of how interference has affected a person’s ability to focus has originated from physiologists from before 1890, which continues within psychology to this day (Stroop, 1935). There are two type of attention interference, this includes selective attention and flexible attention switching. Selective attention occurs when multiple separate stimuli compete for attention and one must focus their attention on one stimulus. While flexible attention switching is when one also has multiple stimuli competing for attention but can switch their focus to different stimuli. A popular method of researching selective attention is the Stroop task, coined by J. Ridley Stroop in the 1900’s. This effect refers to the human tendency of experiencing interference when naming the literal color when it is used to spell out a word other than the color itself (Wright, 2017). When performing the Stroop experiment, a neutral condition is formed by first having participants only read the words regardless of color. An interference condition is then introduced by allowing participants to read the actual color of the words. This conflicts with the easier task of just reading the words. These conditions allow experimenters to examine if there is a significant difference between the two. This allows the researchers to solidify the role of interference. Predictions In this study, participants are presented with three PowerPoint slides. These slides contain the words and interference tasks. The participants are initially asked to read the words on the slides. In the first two slides they are required to read only the words as they are timed. However, on the final slide, the participants have to state the literal color of the word rather than the word

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4 itself. The data collected from the experiment provides baseline and interference condition. This data would later be used in conducting a paired samples t-test. The Stroop tasks are considered difficult when compared to only reading a list of words. It is predicted that the mean difference between the two conditions will be significantly different from zero. Method Participants and Experiment There were 31 participants in the research study. These participants consisted of a random selection of individuals representing a sampling of gender and age groups. The participants were required to view a series of neutral words in black ink, the same words in colored ink, and a series of depressing words in colored ink. In the latter, the participants were required to state the color of the ink rather than the word. The participants were measured on the time they took to accomplish each task. Each participant was required to provide informed consent before any involvement with the study and will not be compensated for their time. Any student participation from the Psychology Department at Eastern New Mexico University received partial course credit for their time and effort with the research study. Each session lasted approximately 5-20 minutes. Materials and Apparatus Participants were shown three slides consisting of a particular set of words in either black or colored ink. The first slide consisted of a list of neutral words in black ink. The second slide consisted of a list of neutral words in colored ink. The third slide consisted of a list of depression related words in colored ink. The participant was asked to read the words out loud on slides one and two and the color of the word on slide three. The participants were timed and measured on each task. In order to have successfully completed this experiment, the following items were

5 required: paper, a pen, a timing device, informed consent forms, various volunteers, SPSS software, and a device to administer the slideshow to the participant. Procedure A group of participants that totaled 31 individuals, was chosen at random by the administrators. After providing explicit consent to participate in the experiment, the individuals were set up to view a slideshow. After each slide was shown, the timing device was initiated, and the participant was required to complete the required task. The participant’s time spent on each task was recorded by the administrator using the paper and pen. Upon completion, the administrator ran a paired-sample t -test using the SPSS software to run the results. After all of the participants were scored, the cumulative results were compiled and analyzed. Results The mean for baseline trials ( M = 6.69, SD = 1.61) was faster than the interference ( M = 9.75, SD = 4.06) trial. A paired sample t test was conducted on the data, and results were t (33) = -5.53, p = . 000. This indicates that the two means are significantly different form one another. A generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) scale was also given to the participants during the experiments, not all participants agreed to do one. Out of the 17 participants that did do one results indicated ( M = 10). Discussion The data gathered showed that there was a significant difference between the baseline and interference trials. As predicted, the mean difference between both of the conditions are significantly different from zero. The interference trials were slower. This is either due to the relevance of each word to the participant or the participant’s difficulty in comprehending the word itself. These results apply to the real world. This is seen in through out different studies, as

6 well as determining other factors. These factors include diagnosing someone with post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and several other mental disorders. Many people unknowingly suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. These people remain undiagnosed and unaware of the symptoms that are afflicting them. This can point to other issues that they are dealing with that is damaging their mental and thus, physical health.

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7 Resources Stroop, J. (1985). Studies of interference in serial verbal reactions. Journal of experimental psychology, 18 (6), 643-662. Retrieved on February 27, 2020 from https://enmubb.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-2376949-dt-content-rid- 9979510_1/courses/201920_PSYC_350_P_001_21948/Stroop_1935_Studies.pdf Wright, B. (2017). What Stroop tasks can tell us about selective attention from childhood to adulthood. British journal of psychology (London, England: 1953) , 108 (3), 583–607. Retrieved on February 28, 2020 from https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.12230

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