About a Russian Spy and Color Names
- Yoram Zahavi יורם זהבי
- Oct 19, 2024
- 3 min read
During the Cold War, CIA agents suspected a fluent English speaker of being a Russian spy. However, the American agents couldn't find an effective way to prove his identity. In the end, they had the spy take a simple Stroop test...
Wait, what is the Stroop test? The Stroop test is based on the Stroop Effect, which was first described by psychologist John Ridley Stroop in 1935 [1]. The main effect refers to the interference that occurs when people are asked to vocally name the color in which a word is written while the word represents a different color name. For example, if the word "red" is written in blue ink, it takes longer for people to say "blue" than if the word "blue" is written in blue ink. This effect highlights the automaticity of reading and the conflict that arises when the automatic process of reading interferes with the task-oriented process of performing a task. In short, the Stroop Effect provides evidence that our brains struggle to ignore irrelevant information or automatic behavior and to shift attention to the task at hand.
...Back to the CIA... During the test, the suspect was presented with several words indicating color written in Russian, but the color of the ink, of course, did not match the name of the color. Just like in the original Stroop test, he was asked to read the words and say the name of the color in which they were written. Since the Russian spy was fluent in Russian, his response from the moment the words were presented until he read them aloud was slower, and his identity was revealed [2].
The Stroop effect demonstrates how our brain processes information. It is used to understand attention, perception, and cognitive control processes. It has been utilized to illustrate the impact of stress, alcohol, and drugs on cognitive performance, as well as to show the effects of aging on cognitive functioning.
Studies have shown that the Stroop effect can vary across cultures and languages. For example, it has been found that the effect is stronger in English-speaking countries compared to other cultures, such as Asian cultures. In languages with relatively simple spelling, like English, the Stroop effect is more pronounced than in languages with more complex spelling, like Chinese.
If the Russian spy had chosen one of the following strategies, he likely would have been able to overcome the effect and continue walking freely in the streets of New York [3] -
1. Focusing on a single letter – This allows for naming the color of the font and reduces the level of interference.
2. Blurring – Making a visual adjustment so that the image of the word does not fall directly on the retina.
3. Cognitive control – Repeating the task instructions to maintain a representation of the task's goal and suppress the meaning of the word (using control mechanisms like working memory and attention regulation).
What is the connection between the Stroop effect and coaching? Just as the Stroop effect illustrates the difficulty of overriding automatic responses to perform a task accurately, our automatic habits and behaviors can prevent us from making changes and stepping out of familiar behavioral patterns. Overcoming the Stroop effect seems unnatural at first glance, requiring effort and focused intention. Similarly, overcoming ingrained ways of thinking to enable personal change and growth also demands intentional effort, attention, and a willingness to step outside our comfort zones. Just like the strategies to mitigate the Stroop effect, focusing on small steps (rather than a daunting big change) and clarifying goals and motivation for change can help us overcome inherent effects within ourselves.
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