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Examining Bilingual Language Control Using the Stroop Task
Published on: February 26, 2020
Is attention needed for word identification? Evidence from the Stroop paradigm
Joel Lachter1, Eric Ruthruff, Mei-Ching Lien
1NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 94035, USA. joel.b.lachter@nasa.gov
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|October 18, 2008
Summary
The Stroop effect demonstrates that reading irrelevant words slows color naming, even when attention is limited. This suggests words can be processed automatically outside spatial attention.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Attention Research
- Lexical Processing
Background:
- The Stroop effect, a well-documented phenomenon, shows that naming a color takes longer when presented with an incongruent color word.
- Previous research suggested this effect implies words can be read outside the focus of spatial attention, even when spatially separated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the claim that word reading occurs outside the focus of spatial attention.
- To investigate the boundaries of attentional control in lexical processing.
Main Methods:
- A modified Stroop paradigm was employed.
- Stringent measures, including limited exposure duration, were used to minimize attention to irrelevant words.
- Participants performed a color-naming task with incongruent word stimuli.
Main Results:
- Residual Stroop effects were observed despite measures to prevent attention to irrelevant words.
- These effects persisted for both direct color words and semantic associates (e.g., 'sky' influencing 'blue').
Conclusions:
- Lexical processing, or word recognition, can occur outside the focus of spatial attention.
- The findings challenge the notion that all word reading requires focused spatial attention.
