Abstract
In two experiments, performance on a modified version of the Stroop color-word task varied systematically with level of task-irrelevant arousal. Performance under low response competition was facilitated while performance under high response competition was impaired by arousal manipulated via threat of impending electric shock. The present results were thus consistent with traditional theory relating arousal or drive and response competition and suggest that Stroop task performance may thereby provide a behavioral index of arousal level.
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This research was supported in part by a faculty research grant to the first author awarded by the Graduate College (University of Iowa) from National Institutes of Health Biomedical Sciences Research Program funds and in part by traineeships to the second and third authors from National Institutes of Health Training Grant funds in the area of social psychology.
This paper was sponsored by Rudolph W. Schulz who takes full editorial responsibility.
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Pallak, M.S., Pittman, T.S., Heller, J.F. et al. The effect of arousal on Stroop color-word task performance. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 6, 248–250 (1975). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336652
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03336652