Our brain is a remarkable information-processing machine, capable of handling complex tasks with astonishing speed. But what happens when it encounters conflicting information? The Stroop effect, a fascinating psychological phenomenon, exposes the moments when our cognitive system experiences a temporary glitch.
Through a simple yet revealing test, the Stroop effect demonstrates how certain mental tasks become unexpectedly difficult when word meanings interfere with a person’s perception. This cognitive conflict has been widely studied in psychology and neuroscience, and has helped researchers understand attention, processing speed, and executive function.
But what exactly is the Stroop test, and why does it matter? Click through this gallery to see how this phenomenon works.