The Stroop Effect has to do with the speed with which we process information.

For Example: Name the colors of the following words as fast as you can. Don't actually read the word, just name the color. So if the word "Red" is written in blue then say blue.

Black Orange
Purple Grey
Green White
Yellow Blue
Red Teal

If you go through this you should notice something very interesting happening.

It is significantly easier to read the word than say the color it is in. When saying the color the word is in as opposed to reading it the rates of error are much higher. This is because our brains have learned to process information in very specific ways. Reading becomes such an automatic response that when one is asked to override it, errors occur.

In the study I wrote about, this effect was cancelled out. Participants were no longer subject to the Stroop Effect. They quickly and accurately named the colors the words were written in. The FMRI showed that the parts of the brain that normally light up during this type of task were shut off for people given the hypnotic suggestion which bypassed this effect.

Cheers!

KP