Cross-modal, auditory-visual Stroop interference and possible implications for speech memory

The presence of cross-modal interference indicates that subjects could not prevent the processing of irrelevant, spoken color words and is used to support a description of processing in which multiple verbal items enter a prespeech buffer and a selection mechanism examines buffer items in parallel.

Abstract

This study examines effects of auditory color-word interference on a visual Stroop task with a spoken response. The presence of cross-modal interference indicates that subjects could not prevent the processing of irrelevant, spoken color words. Additional aspects of the results (e.g., lack of effects from noncolor items and additivity of auditory and visual interference) are used to support a description of processing in which multiple verbal items enter a prespeech buffer and a selection mechanism examines buffer items in parallel.