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Updated: May 20, 2026
05:31
Examining Bilingual Language Control Using the Stroop Task
Published on: February 26, 2020
Working memory capacity and Stroop interference: global versus local indices of executive control
Matt E Meier1, Michael J Kane1
1Department of Psychology.
Summary
Working memory capacity (WMC) predicts Stroop interference, but only under specific task conditions. Congruency-sequence effects did not consistently relate to WMC, suggesting task context influences executive functions.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Working memory capacity (WMC) is crucial for cognitive control.
- Stroop interference is a common measure of cognitive control.
- Congruency-sequence effects offer insights into trial-to-trial cognitive adjustments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between WMC, Stroop interference, and congruency-sequence effects.
- To determine if congruency-sequence effects can explain WMC's predictive power for Stroop interference.
- To explore how task context (congruency levels) modulates WMC's role in cognitive control.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments using the color-word Stroop task with varying congruency conditions.
- Manipulation of trial-to-trial stimulus repetitions to isolate bottom-up influences.
- Measurement of working memory capacity and Stroop performance.
Main Results:
- Congruency-sequence and proportion-congruency effects were significant but did not interact.
- WMC predicted Stroop interference in a low-congruency task but not in a high-congruency task.
- No consistent relationship was found between WMC and congruency-sequence effects across experiments.
Conclusions:
- The predictive relationship between WMC and Stroop interference is context-dependent.
- Congruency-sequence effects do not appear to mediate the WMC-Stroop interference link.
- Task demands and executive process engagement likely explain the observed WMC-related differences.
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