Brief Description

The Greek version of the Stroop Test is an adaptation of the classic Stroop psychometric test (Stroop, 1935), and it is used to assess executive functions, primarily selective attention, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. The procedure relies on the conflict between reading words and naming colors, which necessitates the suppression of an automatic response.

Purpose

The test aims to assess an individual’s ability to inhibit automatic responses and shift cognitive strategies when required. It holds particular diagnostic value in populations with brain dysfunction, attention disorders, and neurocognitive impairments, and is also widely used in research protocols evaluating executive functions.

Scoring Method

The test includes three conditions:
(1) Reading color words (e.g., “red,” “blue”) printed in black ink,
(2) Naming colors of colored patches,
(3) Naming the ink color of color words where the word meaning and ink color do not match (interference condition).

Each condition lasts for 45 seconds. The number of correct responses in each condition is recorded. Additionally, an Interference Score is calculated, typically as the difference in performance between the neutral and interference conditions.

Validity

The validity of the Greek version has been supported by pilot studies, with results aligning with the theoretical foundation of the original Stroop task. The interference effect has been shown to correlate with activation in the frontal lobe, supporting the test’s neuropsychological validity.

Reliability

The test demonstrates good intra-individual stability and test–retest reliability, particularly in neurotypical samples. Preliminary data from Greek populations indicate satisfactory stability and discriminative ability in detecting cognitive dysfunction.

Data Analysis and Use

Data are analyzed based on the number of correct responses per condition, total response time (where measured), and primarily the interference score (i.e., the performance difference between neutral and interference conditions). The test is widely used in clinical neuropsychology, educational assessment, and research on cognitive performance in populations with ADHD, dementia, brain injury, and psychiatric disorders.

References

Stroop, J. R. (1935). Studies of interference in serial verbal reactions. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 18, 643–662.
Zafeiri, M., & Kosmidou, M. (forthcoming). A Greek adaptation of the Stroop-type test. In P. Simos (Ed.), Psychologia: Journal of the Hellenic Psychological Society, Special Issue.