An ERP study of the temporal course of the Stroop color-word interference effect

Abstract

The electrophysiological correlates of the Stroop color-word interference effect were studied in eight healthy subjects using high-density Event-Related Potentials (ERPs). Three response modalities were compared: Overt Verbal, Covert Verbal, and Manual. Both Overt Verbal and Manual versions of the Stroop yielded robust Stroop color-word interference as indexed by longer RT for incongruent than congruent color words. The Incongruent vs Congruent ERP difference wave presented two effects. A first effect was a medial dorsal negativity between 350–500 ms post-stimulus (peak at 410 ms). This effect had a significantly different scalp distribution in the Verbal and Manual Stroop versions, with an anterior–medial focus for overt or covert speech, and a broader medial–dorsal distribution for the manual task. Dipole source analysis suggested two independent generators in anterior cingulate cortex. Later on in time, a prolonged positivity developed between 500–800 ms post-stimulus over left superior temporo-parietal scalp. This effect was present for all the three response modalities. A possible interpretation of these results is that Stroop color-word interference first activates anterior cingulate cortex (350–500 ms post-stimulus), followed by activation of the left temporo-parietal cortex, possibly related to the need of additional processing of word meaning.