Involuntary automatic processing in color-naming tasks

The automatic processing hypothesis holds that very familiar items are processed involuntarily, and two color-naming experiments were designed to test this further. Experiment 1 employed words as written stimuli and focal and nonfocal colors as inks. Supporting the automatic processing hypothesis, neutral words delayed color naming, indicating that their representations were activated involuntarily. There was no interaction of ink type and written item conditions. Experiment 2 employed single letters as written stimuli. Color-name initials delayed color naming when incompatible with the color and facilitated it when compatible, suggesting that, although letters may be processed involuntarily, the way in which they are encoded is influenced by the cognitive context. The data from both experiments were discussed in relation to current interpretations of Stroop effects.

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