Tests of the automaticity of reading: dilution of Stroop effects by color-irrelevant stimuli

Abstract

A color word shown next to a color bar can facilitate color naming if it is congruent with the correct response; otherwise it will interfere with color naming. The congruence and conflict effects are both diminished (diluted) by the presentation of a color-neutral word elsewhere in the field. A row of X's also produces some dilution. The dilution effect represents attentional interference rather than sensory interaction or response conflict. Because Stroop effects are susceptible to interference, the involuntary reading of color words does not satisfy one of the standard criteria of automaticity.