Have you ever heard of the Stroop Effect? Have fun doing the Stroop Test with a friend, and see if you can notice something interesting about how your brain works. Download our free printable Stroop Effect worksheets for an easy color science experiment.
What Is The Stroop Effect?
The Stroop Effect is a cool science experiment that helps us understand how our brain works. The effect is named after John Ridley Stroop, an American psychologist who first described it in the 1930’s.
In this experiment, you are given a list of colors, like “red,” “blue,” and “green.” But the twist is that the words are written in different colors! For example, “red” might be written in a blue font.
Your job is to say the color of the letters, not the written word. This can be tricky because your brain wants to read and give meaning to the word, even if it’s written in a different color! So, it takes longer for your brain to process the color of the letters than it does to read the word.
Why Is The Stroop Effect Important?
The Stroop Effect tells us that our brains are really good at reading words, but sometimes that can get in the way of other tasks we need to do. It has become an important basis for further psychology research into how our brains work.
TIP: Explore how our brains work with this reaction time experiment!
The Stroop Test
Recommended Grade Level: 3rd-6th Grades
The Stroop Effect Experiment has four parts. To follow along, grab the printable worksheet below.
This activity is great to do in small groups or pairs! Extend the activity by handing out stopwatches so kids can record the time taken for each part of the test. Reminder to use a normal pace voice and not rush through it to keep the results consistent!
- You will read a list of color words out loud. They are written in black font.
- Name the color of each square.
- Read a list of color words out aloud. This time, they are in a colored font.
- Read the color of the font for each word.
What do you notice? Which part was hardest to do? Which part was easiest? Why do you think that is?
Get Your Free Printable Stroop Effect Project!
More Fun Experiments With Color
When you finish this Stroop Effect test, why not explore more color science with one of these ideas below. You can find all our color science experiments here!
Make a color wheel spinner and demonstrate how you can make white light from different colors.
Explore refraction of light when you make rainbows using a variety of simple supplies.
Learn more about the color wheel with our printable color wheel worksheets.
Make a DIY spectroscope and split visible light into the colors of the spectrum.
Does color affect taste? Find out with this color taste test experiment.
Helpful Science Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few resources to help you introduce science more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
- Best Science Practices (as it relates to the scientific method)
- Science Vocabulary
- 8 Science Books for Kids
- What Is A Scientist
- Science Supplies List
- Science Tools for Kids
Printable Science Projects For Kids
If you’re looking to grab all of the printable science projects in one convenient place plus exclusive worksheets, our Science Project Pack is what you need!
