Color Trick is an executive functioning task, specifically testing inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. It is based on the classic Stroop effect, in which individuals must suppress an automatic response (e.g., reading a word) in order to perform a less dominant task (e.g., naming the ink color of the word). ColorTrick includes five distinct versions, allowing flexibility depending on the specific research or clinical question. In each version, a central stimulus is presented alongside multiple response options, and participants must select the correct option based on the rules of that version.
The available versions include:
Color Namer: Participants identify the color of the presented text and choose the correct text option that represents the name of that color. For example, if the word "BLUE" is displayed in red color, participants should choose "RED."
Color Match: Participants identify the same color from the given options. For example, if the word "YELLOW" is displayed in blue color, participants should choose an option that has text written in blue color.
Word Color Match: Participants identify the meaning of the color name displayed and should select the option where the text is written in that color. For example, if “GREEN” is displayed, participants should choose the option that is written in green (regardless of what the text says).
Word Match: Participants identify the same color name from the given options. For example, if the word "RED" is displayed, participants should choose an option that has the text "RED."
Yes/No Color Trick: Participants are given a color name in a top box, and they should select whether the color of the presented text matches the meaning of the top box color. For example, if the top box displays "BLUE" and the word "YELLOW" is written in blue, participants should choose "YES."
Participants receive immediate feedback on each trial—correct responses are highlighted in green, while incorrect responses are highlighted in red. Points are awarded for each correct response.
This test has been used and validated in multiple populations such as women with chronic health conditions (i.e., cancer) and older adults with and without cognitive impairment.