Introduction to the Negative Priming Experiment

Negative priming refers to the phenomenon where response speed decreases and error rates increase when reacting to previously ignored stimuli (Tipper, 1985). This experiment aims to test this cognitive effect and help you understand how negative priming influences our response to stimuli.

In this experiment, you will see color names (red, green, blue, yellow) displayed in different colors. Your task is to respond to the color in which the text is shown, not the color name itself. For example, if you see “GREEN”, you should respond to the red color (press "r" key). The keys for this experiment are "r" for red, "g" for green, "b" for blue, and "y" for yellow.

Focus on the color in which the word is displayed, ignoring the word's literal meaning.

Key Guide:

Before the main experiment, you will complete a training phase where you practice responding to solid color rectangles to get familiar with the keys. Press the space bar to begin the task instructions and preparation.

Negative Priming Experiment

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Further reading

Dalrymple-Alford, E.C. & Budayr, B. (1966). Examination of some aspects of the Stroop color word test. Perceptual & Motor Skills, 23, 1211-1214. Frings, C., Schneider, K.K., and Fox, E. (2015). The negative priming paradigm: An update and implications for selective attention. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 22(6), 1577-1597. Mayr, S. & Buchner, A. (2007). Negative Priming as a Memory Phenomenon. Journal of Psychology, 215(1), 35-51. Tipper, S.P. (1985). The negative priming effect: Inhibitory priming by ignored objects. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Experimental Psychology, 37A, 571-590.