Attention
Eriksen Flanker Task
Measure selective attention and conflict cost with a browser-native version of the classic Eriksen Flanker paradigm.
Useful for NIH Toolbox-style attention work, aging studies, ADHD research, and executive-control batteries.
What this task measures
Measures selective attention and cognitive control by requiring participants to identify the direction of a central arrow while ignoring flanking arrows.
Core constructs
- Selective attention
- Cognitive control
- Conflict monitoring
- Response interference resolution
Research fit
- ADHD attentional assessment
- NIH Toolbox cognitive screening
- Aging and cognitive decline research
- Executive function evaluation
- Pharmacological intervention studies
Why researchers use ConductCognition
- Hosted browser delivery with no local install burden for participants.
- Study setup, scoring, exports, and participant links in one workflow.
- Transparent pricing instead of opaque enterprise quoting for solo labs.
- Free entry tier plus Academic Pro when you need the full battery and raw exports.
Paradigm overview
The Eriksen Flanker Task measures selective attention and cognitive control. Participants view a row of five arrows and must identify the direction of the central arrow while ignoring the flanking arrows. On congruent trials, all arrows point the same direction (< < < < <). On incongruent trials, flankers point opposite to the target (< < > < <).
The flanker effect (incongruent RT minus congruent RT) quantifies the cost of resolving response conflict. Incongruent flankers activate competing motor responses that must be suppressed, engaging the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) for conflict monitoring and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for top-down control.
This task is part of the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery and is one of the most widely used measures of attentional control in cognitive neuroscience. The flanker effect is sensitive to aging, ADHD, and executive function deficits.
Key scoring outputs
Congruent RT
msAverage RT on congruent trials (all arrows same direction).
Lower is better
Incongruent RT
msAverage RT on incongruent trials (flankers oppose target).
Lower is better
Flanker Effect
msIncongruent RT minus congruent RT. Primary measure of interference cost. Higher values indicate greater susceptibility to distraction.
Lower is better
Congruent Accuracy
proportionProportion correct on congruent trials. Expected near ceiling.
Higher is better
Incongruent Accuracy
proportionProportion correct on incongruent trials. More sensitive to attentional deficits than congruent accuracy.
Higher is better
Overall Accuracy
proportionProportion correct across all trial types.
Higher is better
Normative and citation context
Weintraub S, Dikmen SS, Heaton RK, et al. (2013). Cognition assessment using the NIH Toolbox. Neurology, 80(11 Suppl 3):S54-64.
NIH Toolbox Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test. Largest normative sample in this battery.
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