STOP-IT: Windows executable software for the stop-signal paradigm

The stop-signal paradigm is a useful tool for the investigation of response inhibition. In this paradigm, subjects are instructed to respond as fast as possible to a stimulus unless a stop signal is presented after a variable delay. However, programming the stop-signal task is typically considered to be difficult. To overcome this issue, we present software called STOP-IT, for running the stop-signal task, as well as an additional analyzing program called ANALYZE-IT. The main advantage of both programs is that they are a precompiled executable, and for basic use there is no need for additional programming. STOP-IT and ANALYZE-IT are completely based on free software, are distributed under the GNU General Public License, and are available at the personal Web sites of the first two authors or at expsy.ugent.be/tscope/stop.html.

[1]  Gordon D Logan,et al.  Horse-race model simulations of the stop-signal procedure. , 2003, Acta psychologica.

[2]  G. Logan,et al.  Inhibitory control in mind and brain: an interactive race model of countermanding saccades. , 2007, Psychological review.

[3]  D. Meyer,et al.  The point of no return in choice reaction time: controlled and ballistic stages of response preparation. , 1986, Journal of experimental psychology. Human perception and performance.

[4]  C. Eriksen,et al.  Use of a delayed signal to stop a visual reaction-time response. , 1966 .

[5]  Frederick Verbruggen,et al.  Short-term aftereffects of response inhibition: repetition priming or between-trial control adjustments? , 2008, Journal of experimental psychology. Human perception and performance.

[6]  G. Logan.  On the ability to inhibit thought and action , 1984 .

[7]  G. Logan,et al.  On the ability to inhibit simple and choice reaction time responses: a model and a method. , 1984, Journal of experimental psychology. Human perception and performance.

[8]  G. Logan,et al.  Development of inhibitory control across the life span. , 1999, Developmental psychology.

[9]  J. de Houwer,et al.  Do emotional stimuli interfere with response inhibition? Evidence from the stop signal paradigm , 2007 .

[10]  Maurits W van der Molen,et al.  Inhibition in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as indexed by heart rate change. , 1997, Developmental psychology.

[11]  Frederick Verbruggen,et al.  Selective stopping in task switching: The role of response selection and response execution. , 2006, Experimental psychology.

[12]  M. Vince.  The intermittency of control movements and the psychological refractory period. , 1948, The British journal of psychology. General section.

[13]  W. Notebaert,et al.  Effects of stimulus-stimulus compatibility and stimulus-response compatibility on response inhibition. , 2005, Acta psychologica.

[14]  David L. Strayer,et al.  Aging and inhibition: beyond a unitary view of inhibitory processing in attention. , 1994, Psychology and aging.

[15]  Frederick Verbruggen,et al.  The effect of interference in the early processing stages on response inhibition in the stop signal task , 2006, Quarterly journal of experimental psychology.

[16]  G. Logan,et al.  Impulsivity and Inhibitory Control , 1997 .

[17]  Frederick Verbruggen,et al.  Tscope: A C library for programming cognitive experiments on the MS Windows platform , 2006, Behavior research methods.

[18]  G. Logan,et al.  Are hyperactive children deficient in attentional capacity? , 1990, Journal of abnormal child psychology.