Stop-signal: cancel a press you already started

A sample script of about 85 words. Say it your own way. Fill in the highlighted parts from your own run of the test, such as the numbers on your results screen.

1. 0:00

   DoShow a fast press for the arrow, then a trial where the arrow turns red.

   SayPress the way the arrow points, fast. But if it turns red, don't press.

2. 0:05

   DoRun the test and show one stop that works and one that comes too late.

   SayThat one I stopped. That one I didn't. The red came too late, and my finger was already moving.

3. 0:35

   DoExplain that the red comes later after a good stop and sooner after a miss, and how that times stopping.

   SayAfter I stop in time, the next red comes a little later. After I miss, it comes sooner. So the test keeps you stopping about half the time. From there, researchers estimate how long it takes to cancel a press that has already started. That's the stop-signal reaction time.

4. 0:55

   DoShow the test's page on conductcognition.com.

   SayTry it yourself at conductcognition.com.

Posting it yourself? Say that ConductScience paid you, in the video or the caption, and use the platform's paid partnership label if it has one.

All 12 scripts on one page, to print

Try the test before you film

Take it yourself first: Stop-Signal Task on conductcognition.com. On the test's page, choose Preview it free. It asks you to sign in, or to create a free account.

Film yourself taking the test, or use sample data. Never show real participants, children, patients, private records or unpublished results. Get permission before you film at your school or workplace, or name it. The handbook has the rest.