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The Eriksen Flanker Task
Can You Ignore the Noise?

The Eriksen Flanker Task measures your response inhibition and conflict resolution. You'll see a central arrow surrounded by “flanking” arrows, and your job is to respond to the center arrow only, ignoring the distractions.

How It Works:

  • A row of arrows will appear on screen
  • Focus only on the center arrow and respond to its direction:
    ← or A = Left→ or D = Right
  • Ignore the flanking arrows—they're just distractions!
  • Respond as quickly and accurately as possible

Easy Trial (Congruent):

All arrows point the same way:

>>>>>

Press → or D (Right)

Hard Trial (Incongruent):

Center arrow conflicts with flankers:

>><>>

Press ← or A (Left) - Focus on the center!

Neutral Trial:

Flankers are neutral (not arrows):

++>++

Press → or D (Right)

Scientific Background: Based on the classic 1974 Eriksen & Eriksen study, this test measures conflict resolution and response inhibition. Your “Flanker Effect” score shows how well you can focus on a target while ignoring distracting information.

Eriksen, B.A., Eriksen, C.W. Effects of noise letters upon the identification of a target letter in a nonsearch task. Perception & Psychophysics 16, 143–149 (1974). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03203267