The logarithm of the ratio between time to read the interference card and pure color card (logs(C/B)) is proposed as a reliable index of Stroop interference and correlates with willingness to volunteer.
Alerts researchers to potential volunteer bias in Stroop studies; leaves open causal links and broader applicability.
It is proposed that the best measure of individual Stroop interference is the logarithm of the ratio between time to read the interference card and time to read the pure color card, i.e., logs(C/B). A review of the literature shows a very close correlation across studies between Stroop interference so-defined and (un)willingness to participate in psychological experiments, at least for studies involving the Stroop. Logs (C/B) provides a highly reliable index of this effect and should be routinely reported as a sample descriptor. (Pertinent data must be taken from the first administration of the Stroop.) Willingness to volunteer is seen as willingness to take on additional stress; low Stroop interference is seen as high tolerance for such stress.
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David Saunders (1980) studied this question.
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