Stroop Color and Word Test Normative Update

Adult version by:  Charles J Golden Ph d. and Shawna M. Freshwater, Ph D, Brian Syzdek, Psy.D., & Erica Ailes, Psy.D.
Childrens version by:  Charles J Golden Ph d. and Shawna M. Freshwater, Zarabeth Golden, Ph.D., & Ph D, Brian Syzdek, Psy.D.

Purpose: Provides a diagnosis of brain dysfunction
Age: Childrens Version - 5-14yrs   Adult Version-15yrs+
Admin: Individual Administration
Time: 5 minutes

Qualification Level:  B 

The Stroop Color and Word Test aids in diagnosis of brain dysfunction and the evaluation of stress, executive functions, and cognitive abilities. The Stroop phenomenon is useful in the identification of a number of significant disorders, and has been recommended as a test for ADD/ADHD, dementia, traumatic brain injury, and to ascertain the degree of independence likely to be achieved by individuals with frontal lobe disorders. The cognitive dimension tapped by Stroop is associated with cognitive flexibility, resistance to interference from outside stimuli, creativity and psychopathology-all of which influence the individual's ability to cope with cognitive stress, and process complex output. Since it requires only five minutes to administer, the Stroop Color and Word Test is an exceptionally useful screening instrument, which may be used alone, or as part of a larger screening battery. The Stroop is used extensively in research, particularly in clinical trials, as a well-research instrument sensitive to comparing changes in functioning between experimental and control groups.

THE STROOP NORMATIVE UPDATE CONTAINS

•     Updated normative data
•     More accurate norms tables
•     Enhanced and clarified instructions for administration with research protocol script
•     Expanded psychometric data, using modern analytic techniques
•     Updated research literature review

Each Stroop Test Booklet consists of three basic parts: Word Page-the names of color printed in black ink; Color Page-semantically meaningless symbols (X) printed in colored ink, and Color-Word Page-comprised of the words from the first page, printed in the colors from the second page, with the restriction that the word and color do not match.

The task is to look at each sheet, and move down the columns, reading words or naming the ink colors, as quickly as possible, within a given time limit. The test yields three scores, and Interference, based on the number of items completed.

Two Versions Available

Developed in response to the demand for a Stroop Test specifically normed, and interpreted for children, these new materials detail administration, scoring and interpretive strategies for these younger clients.

Interpretation of a child's score is more difficult than an adult's, as it is affected by developmental trends, possible learning disabilities, attention problems, emotional problems and overall maturity. This Children's Version of the Stroop has been designed to avoid measurement issues that exist in attempting to apply the scoring approach of the adult Stroop to children's data. Interpretive strategies also differ between younger (ages 5-10) and older children (ages 11-14), and are presented separately in the Children's Manual.

Scoring, interpretation strategies and literature have been updated for both versions of the Stroop. Both manuals include new norms for their respective populations. The Children's Version uses T-scores, derived from means and standard deviation, by age. The Adult T-scores are tabled, based on multiple regression equations, utilizing education and age.

Two versions of the Stroop Color and Word Test are available—Adult (ages 15+) and Children’s (ages 5-14) version. The Kit for each version contains a Manual and Record Forms (packets of 25). Thus, if ordering for the first time, users are advised to get a kit and subsequently re-order Record Forms, as needed.