Life-span development of Stroop and reverse-Stroop interference measured using matching responses

Abstract

We have developed a group Stroop Color-Word Test that measures both Stroop and reverse-Stroop interference. In this test, the participants had to match a pertinent word with a color patch from among the choices printed on paper. The purpose of this study was to investigate the life-span development of Stroop and reverse-Stroop interference as measured by this test. A total of 1945 participants (age 7-86 years old) completed this test. We found that Stroop interference was greatest among children, then decreased with age to adulthood, and finally increased among the older people. These results correspond with the findings of previous developmental studies conducted using verbal responses. The reverse-Stroop interference was found to be smallest among children, increased with age to adulthood, and then remained constant even among older adults. These results suggest that Stroop interference and reverse Stroop interference reflect different cognitive processes.