The Stroop Effect
You carry around a three-pound mass of wrinkly material in your head that controls every single thing you will ever do. From enabling you to think, learn, create, and feel emotions to controlling every blink, breath, and heartbeat—this fantastic control center is your brain. It is a structure so amazing that a famous scientist once called it "the most complex thing we have yet discovered in our universe." Did you know...
Different parts of your brain have different jobs and responsibilities. Normally, all the parts of your brain work together to complete complex tasks like walking or talking. But - what happens when the parts of your brain don't agree?
- Your brain is faster and more powerful than a supercomputer.
- Your brain generates enough electricity to power a lightbulb.
- Neurons send information to your brain at more than 150 miles (241 kilometers) per hour.
- When you learn, you change the structure of your brain.
Different parts of your brain have different jobs and responsibilities. Normally, all the parts of your brain work together to complete complex tasks like walking or talking. But - what happens when the parts of your brain don't agree?
The famous "Stroop Effect" is named after J. Ridley Stroop who discovered this strange phenomenon in the 1930s.
Step 1: Draw this chart in your science journal.
Step 1: Draw this chart in your science journal.
Step 2: Choose a box below and have your group members time you as you name the colors of the following words. Do NOT read the words...rather, say the color of the words. For example, if the word "BLUE" is printed in a red color, you should say "RED". Record your time in your chart under the column "Regular Words".
Help your group members complete this step.
Help your group members complete this step.
Step 3: Repeat the process with these examples. Remember, do NOT read the words...rather, say the color of the words. For example, if the word "BLUE" is printed in a red color, you should say "RED". Record your time under the column "Colored Words".
Step 4: In your journal, write why you think Step 3 was harder than Step 2. What do you think would happen if we "warped" the words. In your journal, record a prediction of how long it will take you to say the colors of each word if the words are written in a circle.
Step 5: Record how long it takes you to identify each of these colors. Remember, do NOT read the words...rather, say the color of the words. For example, if the word "BLUE" is printed in a red color, you should say "RED". Record your time under the column "Warped Words".
Step 5: Record how long it takes you to identify each of these colors. Remember, do NOT read the words...rather, say the color of the words. For example, if the word "BLUE" is printed in a red color, you should say "RED". Record your time under the column "Warped Words".
Step 6: In your journal, describe the results from each test. Include your reasons why you believe that the times for each test were different.