Lab No: 9

To determine the Visual field in humans using the Stroop Test

Objective:

• To Understand the Basics of Visual Field

• To Understand the basic Concept of Stroop Test
• To perform the Ishihara Test for Color Blindness
Theory The Stroop Test
In 1935, J.R. Stroop (1897–1973) showed that information the brain receives is
processed using different pathways. The "Stroop test" showed conflicts (or interference)
occurring when specific types of information were processed. Words are read automatically.
Even when we consciously try to stop reading words it is extremely difficult to do so,
especially when the information (or message) given is conflicting.

Research from the original article by Stroop showing the reaction times of reading color
names when the text is the same color (1), and when the text is a different color (2). The
Stroop test uses the names of common colors either written in the same (facilitation
condition) or a different color (interference condition).

Facilitationn condition
When the written word and the text color used are the same (that is, there is an
association between the word and the color), it is referred to as "Stroop facilitation". In this
condition, most volunteers experience a decrease in reaction time when reading the word
aloud.

Interference condition
When the written word and the text color used are different, it is referred to as
"Stroop interference". In this condition, volunteers experience an increase in reaction time
when speaking aloud the color that the word is written in. Individuals struggle to dissociate
the word written from the color used, as this requires greater cognitive processing than just
reading the words.
Generally, humans become proficient readers. Confusion occurs when individuals are
instructed to name the colour that the word is written in (rather than reading the word itself).
In these conditions, the number of errors made, and the time needed to complete the test
increases. It takes less time to read aloud the word of a color, regardless of what colour it is
written in. Where there is a conflict between the word and the color it is written in, a greater
effort is required to "ignore" the word and to focus on the actual color of the text. That is, to
succeed at this task individuals must concentrate to a greater extent.

It is hypothesized that conflicting information is sent to the anterior cingulate in the brain,
where it is filtered to produce an appropriate response. The time required to filter this
information is a potential cause for the delay in reaction. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)
is responsible for a range of emotional responses and thought processes and is located in the
frontal portion of the brain between the left and right hemispheres. The functions of the ACC
are highly complex, but the area works as a link between lower, more impulse-driven brain
regions, and higher, more rationally driven behaviors.

The anterior cingulate cortex and other associated brain areas.

One of the applications of the Stroop test is to investigate "attentional fatigue". It can be used
as an experimental stressor; individuals performing the test show an increase in heart rate,
with decreased parasympathetic and increased sympathetic activity.

The Stroop test consists of four activities; all of them require the volunteer to read the word or
name the color as quickly as possible:

Control conditions
 • Monochrome: read the words of colors written in black (for example, green, red,
brown, blue, purple).

• Rectangles: name the color of each rectangle (for example, purple, blue, brown, red,
green).

Experimental conditions

• Words: read the words that are written in a different color (for example, purple,
brown, green, red, blue).
• Colors: name the color that the word is written in (for example, green, red, blue,
brown, purple).

Theories for the Stroop phenomenon

Several theories have attempted to explain the Stroop phenomena: many of these overlap.

• The "relative speed of processing" theory states that individuals can read a word
faster than they can name a color. When conflicting information is sent to the brain,
interference occurs as they must override their initial response of reading the word to
naming the color.
• The "selective attention" theory states that more attention is needed to process color,
than is needed to read a word.
• The "automaticity" theory refers to the processes which occur beyond conscious
control and attention. From a young age we are taught to read and eventually it
becomes an automatic process, while tasks such as naming colors are not. Therefore,
when naming the color of a word, the brain has to override the unconscious
inclination to automatically read the word.
• The "parallel processing" theory views processing as "system resource limits"; it is
explained using both the relative speed of processing and automaticity theories. More
than one cognitive operation may occur at any time, but a "bottle-neck" occurs when
 attempting to produce the various responses. When the desired responses conflict,
there is interference. Automatic processes require minimal cognitive effort, while
controlled processes involve greater effort and cognitive resources.

The Stroop test as an experimental stressor

The Stroop test can be used as an experimental stressor to assess changes in the
cardiovascular system. The ability of the human body to adapt to the external environment
has been essential to our survival. During mental stress a range of cardiovascular responses is
seen: vasodilation to skin and skeletal muscle; increases in heart rate, cardiac output, and
blood pressure occur. These changes are thought to reflect an increase in sympathetic nervous
activity, and a decrease in parasympathetic nervous activity.
Therefore, we can use the Stroop test to gain insights into the complex interactions
between mental concentration, error detection and awareness, target selection, detection,
and resolution.

Color vision
The Stroop test relies on eye color vision in order to perform the test. Our eyes have three sets
of cones with peak sensitivities at light wavelengths of 564 nm (red), 534 nm (green) and 420
nm (blue).

Wavelengths of light.
Light at any wavelength between 380 nm to 750 nm will excite one or more of these sensors.
Our perception of color, therefore, is determined by the extent to which the different sensors
are excited.

The retinal receptor cells with their related nerve (ganglion) cells.
Color-blind people lack one or more of the sets of cones, have cones that respond to different
peak frequencies. Congenital color vision deficiencies more commonly affect the red cones or
the green cones. These deficiencies are collectively known as red-green color blindness,
because they reduce the ability to distinguish those two colors. Much rarer deficiencies
involving the blue-cones result in yellow-blue color blindness. Full color blindness and
insensitivity to blue light are relatively rare.

•The term protan is used for a defect in the red cones. People who have some
altered sensitivity in the red cone function are referred to as having a
protanomaly. Complete red cone deficiency is called protanopia.
• The term deutan is used for a defect in the green cones. People who have some
altered sensitivity in the green cone function are referred to as having a
deutanomaly. Complete green cone deficiency is called deutanopia.
• The term tritan is used for a defect in the blue cones. Altered sensitivity in blue
cone function is not seen. Complete blue cone deficiency is called tritanopia.
Normal Vision Protanopia Deutanopia Tritanopia

Pre-Lab Questions

Figure# 1.1
Figure# 1.2

Figure# 1.3

Figure# 1.4
 Figure# 1.5

 Use Lab Station Software to perform the Experiment Stroop

Test:

Figure# 1.6
 Use original Image as captured from the Lab Station After performing the task and
checking the asnwer

Color blindness
The purpose of these color blindness tests is to determine that volunteers do not have
any type of color blindness. In order to perform the Stroop test, the volunteers must be able
to distinguish different colors. However, about 5% of the male population has various deficits
in their perception of color. The images shown here allow you to explore some aspects of this
condition, and determine who in your lab group is able to perform the Stroop test.

There are three main types of color blindness:

• Protan (reduced sensitivity to red light)

• Deutan (reduced sensitivity to green light)
• Tritan (reduced sensitivity to blue light)

The images below show what is seen in some of these conditions. The term color blind is
misleading, more than 99% of all people with color blindness can see color.

Ishihara color vision test images

The Ishihara color test is a test for red-green color deficiencies, the most common kind. It
was named after a professor at the University of Tokyo, Dr Shinobu Ishihara (1879–1963); he
first published his tests in 1917. The full test consists of 38 plates. Examine the test plate
shown on the right. Then discuss with your group what number you can see inside the spot.

Figure# 1.7
Figure# 1.8

Figure# 1.9
 Sample Image, use all 4 original Images here after checking answers to each question.

Reading coloured words

Figure# 1.10

Perform this task on Lab Station and Paste the Screen Shot Below