Stop-Signal Task

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Stop-Signal Task

Basic Characteristics

  • Description

The Stop Signal Task is best described as a laboratory measure of inhibitory control. The task itself requires quick execution of a thought or action, and the occasional inhibition of this behavior. On the computerized task subjects are asked to respond as fast as they can to symbols (ex. letters) presented on a computer screen. A certain portion of the trials will be accompanied by an auditory tone. This auditory tone tells the participant that they are to try and withhold their response to the current symbol on the screen. The tone occurs occasionally, is unpredictable, and occurs at various latencies after the appearance of the letter on the computer. The SSRT, stop signal reaction time, is an estimation of the time an individual needs to stop their usual behavior (i.e. pressing a key every time they see the symbol) in response to the stop signal. SSRT is a combination of the stop signal and primary "go" response time. As a measure of inhibitory control, this task is often used in the diagnosis of ADHD and Schizophrenia.

  • History
  • References

Nichols and Waschbusch, 2004. A review of the validity of laboratory cognitive tasks used to assess symptoms of ADHD PMID 15039603

Related Information

  • Cognitive construct associated with this task (vote for your favorite, or nominate a new construct label by editing this page):
  • Indicators (dependent variables, conditions, or contrasts; measurement variables used for analysis) associated with this task (vote or nominate by editing this page):
    • dependent variable: SSRT
  • Closely related pages (vote or nominate related pages by editing this page):
  • CNP Level

External Resources

Task Details

  • Task Structure (please given an overview of the task procedures here [i.e., overall design, block, trial, and within-trial event structure and timing])
    • procedure
      • block:
      • trial:
  • Stimulus Characteristics
    • sensory modality (e.g., visual, auditory, somatosensory, gustatory, olfactory):
    • functional modality (e.g., linguistic, spatial, numerical, categorical):
    • presentation modality (e.g., human examiner, paper, computer display, headphones, speaker):
  • Response Characteristics
    • response required -
      • effector modality (e.g., vocal, manual, pedal):
      • functional modality (e.g., words, drawing, writing, keypress, movement):
    • response options (e.g., yes/no, go/no-go, forced choice, multiple choice [specify n of options], free response)-
    • response collection (e.g., examiner notes, keyboard, keypad, mouse, voice key, button press)-
  • Assessment/Control Characteristics
    • timing-
      • monthly cycle dependent??
      • circadian dependent??
    • control assessment
      • 5 senses??