Influence of Language on Mixed and Separate Block Stroop Task Performance

Abstract

Automaticity is often linked to proficient performance. Automatic processes are typically perceived as beyond conscious control, implying a lack of volitional regulation. The Stroop color-naming test serves as a prominent illustration of automatic word reading and its uncontrollable nature. The Stroop task is also widely used to explore the structure of bilingual lexicons. The present thesis uses two different variants of Word-Colour Stroop Task to study the influence of language on the Stroop task performance. In the first study, we presented Hindi-English mixed Stroop with congruent and incongruent colour condition; whereas the second study had separate blocks for each language. The results indicated a significant Stroop effect in the English language (L1), but not in Hindi (L2), for both experiments. In experiment 1, participants exhibited greater Stroop interference in the English-incongruent condition compared to the Hindi-incongruent condition, while the interference was lower in the English-congruent condition compared to the Hindi-congruent condition. In experiment 2, a notable group effect was observed, indicating that participants took longer to respond in Hindi than in English for both congruent and incongruent conditions. This demonstrated a general delay in responding to the Hindi trials, regardless of the condition. Based on these findings, it is proposed that tests, particularly those assessing cognitive abilities, should be conducted in participants' native language to enhance the accuracy and reproducibility of results. These insights may hold significant clinical implications, particularly considering the scarcity of Hindi-English mixed Stroop Task research in India.