The Stroop Test measures cognitive processing speed, flexibility, and ability to inhibit automatic responses. It is named after John Ridley Stroop, who first published it in 1935. We commonly use the Stroop Test in our Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, cognitive processing, and learning disorders. It can also be a part of a more general battery designed for school and work performance and to suggest accommodations or interventions to tackle any challenges.
In the classic Stroop test, individuals are presented with a list of color words (e.g., red, blue, green) written in incongruent colors (e.g., the word “red” written in blue ink). Participants are asked to name the color of the ink rather than reading the word. This creates a conflict between the automatic response to read the word and the intentional response to name the ink color. This interference has been proven to be related to the difficulties noted above and generally to executive functioning.
We would be happy to discuss how the Stroop test might benefit you or your child, but first, we wanted to provide this general overview.
Stroop Test Administration
Here’s a general guide on how the Stroop test is administered:
- We explain the task, giving you an overview so you are prepared. We mention that you will see words written in different ink colors, and your task is to name the ink color as quickly and accurately as possible. We’ll answer any questions you have. Basically, the Stroop test is straightforward – it may not be easy, but you’ll likely know what you are supposed to do. You should complete the task, balancing speed and accuracy as best you can.
- We begin with a practice round to ensure you understand the task. We’ll show you a card with color words written in incongruent colors (e.g., the word “RED” written in blue ink) and ask you to say the color of the ink, not the word itself. Due to practice effects – the idea that if you get too much practice, your results will not be valid – we can only do one practice round. Most people do understand the task after that.
- Next, we administer the assessment rounds. We will present a series of Stroop test cards, varying between congruent (word and ink color match) and incongruent (word and ink color mismatch) conditions. We record the time it takes you to name the ink colors correctly. No one is expected to do this perfectly. If you make an error, we will correct you and proceed to the next trial.
Stroop Test Scoring and Interpretation
We calculate the time taken for each trial to score the Stroop test. We record the time for each individual trial and then add the total time taken for all trials. Higher interference times (on the “incongruent trials” described above) may indicate difficulty suppressing automatic responses. This is indicative of both ADHD and anxiety.
Notes about Virtual Administration
The Stroop test can be given as part of a virtual assessment, but it requires you to be able to see the screen clearly. This can be a little harder than having the page in front of you, and we note that in our reports. In addition, virtual administration of the Stroop test may be either more or less stressful, depending on your preference. We might ask for your thoughts about that and note them in our report as well. 
Uses of the Stroop Test
The Stroop Test is often used to assess cognitive functions such as attention, selective attention, and cognitive flexibility. It is usually given as part of a larger battery. Here are more specific ways we use it:
Measuring Cognitive Functioning with the Stroop Test
This measure is most often used to assess different aspects of cognitive functioning, including attention, selective attention, and cognitive flexibility. Thus, it helps diagnose ADHD and other executive functioning impairments that can interfere with school and work. It can be a part of a battery that can suggest accommodations and interventions to help students or employees reach their potential. In most cases, the Stroop test is not enough to fully suggest a diagnosis or to get formal accommodations, but as part of a larger battery, it can be quite helpful.
Psychological Disorders and Mental Health
The Stroop test has been utilized in the study of various psychological disorders beyond executive functioning concerns, including anxiety disorders and mood disorders. It provides insights into the cognitive aspects of these conditions, and like the above, it can be used to suggest accommodations and interventions that help students and employees. As noted above, the test alone may not provide a firm diagnosis, but it can often help you understand how a known or suspected diagnosis specifically affects you.
Self-Improvement with the Stroop
Executive functions, which involve processes such as planning, problem-solving, and cognitive control, can be assessed using the Stroop test. It provides information on an individual’s ability to switch between tasks and inhibit irrelevant information. This type of assessment can be used by people who want to design strategies to function better in all aspects of their lives, whether or not they have a formal diagnosis. It can be repeated over time to measure the effectiveness of your strategies.
Assessment of Treatment Efficacy
Once a student or employee has been diagnosed with a condition that requires accommodations or interventions, the Stroop test can be given at certain intervals to assess the effectiveness of interventions or treatments targeting cognitive functions. Changes in performance may indicate whether the interventions are working.
Overall, the Stroop test is a versatile tool that provides valuable insights into various aspects of cognitive functioning and mental health. It is commonly used, given how simple it is to administer, score, and interpret and how scientifically proven and accepted it is.
Summary and Conclusions
The Stroop test is a widely used instrument that is often used as part of a larger battery to measure some aspect of executive functioning or mental health. It is most commonly associated with testing for ADHD, but it has many uses beyond that. It is also used in research settings, given that it can be repeated to measure the effectiveness of interventions. The advantages of the Stroop test are that it can be given virtually and it has been used for many years. It is scientifically proven, very accepted, and easy to administer.
The Stroop Test in Our Practice
We use the Stroop Test in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and some mental health diagnoses, and also in some specialty areas such as testing for athletes, testing for extended time on the SAT and other exams, and emotional dysregulation testing. It is rarely used as a standalone unless someone has already had a psychological battery and is looking for more specific results. In most cases, we give the Stroop test virtually, often noting the caveats we listed in the post above. We commonly repeat it for those looking to see if interventions, accommodations, and other efforts are working as expected.
We would be happy to talk to you about how this measure might benefit you or your child, or more generally, about a psychological assessment that might include the Stroop test. Please feel free to schedule a consultation or contact us at any time.
