Exploratory Factor Analysis of the Virtual Reality Stroop Task

Executive functioning involves various controlled processing abilities such as cognitive workload, attention, and inhibition. A common test of executive functioning is the Stroop Color Word Interference Test. The dual process theory has been used to explain results from the Stroop test and states that automatic processing (e.g., word reading) is understood to be an overlearned behavior that requires little effort or direct control from the participant, while controlled processing (e.g., color-word interference) involves inhibition of prepotent (overlearned) responses. In the current study, 85 participants from a university in the southwestern United States (58% female; M age = 19.82, SD = 2.10) completed the Virtual Reality Stroop Task (VRST). To examine the underlying constructs of the VRST, a factor analysis was conducted. Both principal component analysis (PCA) and principal axis factoring (PAF) were conducted. Further, both oblique and orthogonal rotation methods were conducted. There were 4 factors with eigenvalues greater than one, which accounted for 78.46% of the total variance, however based on scree plots, parallel analysis, and the minimum average partial test, 3 factors were retained. Color naming and word reading loaded onto an automatic processing factor. Simple interference and complex interference were loaded onto a controlled processing factor. The VRST may also discriminate between participants’ response accuracy (to Stroop stimuli) relative to low and high stress environmental stimuli.