In 1935, the American psychologist John Ridley Stroop conducted a simple experiment: he showed people the names of colors printed in a different color. For example, the word “RED” is in blue ink. Participants were asked to name the color of the ink rather than read the word. And it turned out that the task requires a huge effort.
Reading is an automatic process. You can't “not read” the word you see. It is recognized by itself, effortlessly. To name the color of the ink, the brain must suppress this automatic process and turn on the controlled one.
It is this struggle between automation and control that makes the Stroop test so revealing. It measures the ability to inhibit momentum and choose the right response.
The time difference between neutral words (e.g., “CHAIR” in blue ink) and conflict words (“RED” in blue ink) is called the ** Stroop effect **. The average person has a difference of 100–200 milliseconds. This is the time that the brain spends on resolving conflict.
| Response time | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| up to 700 ms | Excellent |
| 700–900 ms | Good |
| 900–1200 ms | Medium |
| more than 1200 ms | Worth training |
Important: this is not a diagnosis. Different people take the test differently, and the result depends on fatigue, age, stress level. If today you have 1100 ms, and tomorrow 800 is a normal fluctuation, not a change in abilities.
Regular passage of the Stroop test improves:
These skills are applied at work (especially in multitasking situations), in sports, in driving a car and in all situations where you need to react quickly in the right way.
Gage has a Color and Word game is an adaptation of the Stroop test for training. The rules are the same: a word written in colored ink is given, you need to choose the color of the ink. Every 60 seconds — a new round.
**▶ Take the Stroop test ** — Color and Word game in Gage · free of charge
Three tips from those who take the test quickly:
Traditionally, the Stroop test is performed in laboratories, with precise timers and control conditions. The online version is simpler and does not give absolutely accurate numbers, but:
Start with one round. Then another one. In a week's time, look at your progress on the chart in Gage — it will show if there are any improvements. Usually, after 10–14 days of regular training, the reaction time is reduced by 15–25%.