Abstract
Previous work has shown that the Stroop effect is reduced in size when a single letter is colored and spatially precued. The present experiment addresses a number of criticisms of this work by (1) providing a direct measure of semantic processing, (2) using a vocal response instead of a manual one, and (3) using a more appropriate baseline. A semantically based Stroop effect (slower color naming for color-associated words than for color-neutral words) is observed when all letters in the display are precued and appear in a homogeneous color. This Stroop effect is statistically eliminated when a single letter is precued and is the “odd man out” in terms of its color. Two explanations are considered. In one, single-letter coloring and cuing serve to curtail semantic processing. In the other, single-letter coloring and cuing help to keep the informational sources (i.e, color, word) separate and hence reduce interference, but semantic analysis is not curtailed. The latter account provides a more complete account of existing data.
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This work was supported by Grant A0998 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to D.B.
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Manwell, L.A., Roberts, M.A. & Besner, D. Single letter coloring and spatial cuing eliminates a semantic contribution to the Stroop effect. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 11, 458–462 (2004). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03196595
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03196595