The use of the Eriksen Flanker Task as training instrument for cognitive control in inhibition disorder

Abstract

A frequently used cognitive task to measure participants’ cognitive performance is the so-called Eriksen Flanker task (1974). This task requires a response where you have to indicate the direction of a central arrow, which is flanked with (un)corresponding arrows at its side. The Flanker task has many modified versions, adjusted to the different ways you can use the task to measure different aspects of executive cognitive functions. Such cognitive tasks, although often too simple and straightforward to represent daily life, tell us a lot about one’s executive cognitive functioning. Executive functions are very important for human behavior because they help us to engage with our surroundings and to participate in society. Problems of inhibition may have neural causes and may lead to negative behavioral consequences. Inhibitory problems can be determined by the Flanker task which might also be useful to practice cognitive control in individuals suffering from inhibitory disorders.