A new Stroop-like measure of inhibitory function development: typical developmental trends

Background: Difficulties with inhibition are increasingly regarded as central to pathological behavioural and learning disorders in childhood. However, few measures are available to assist in the assessment of young children's inhibitory competence. Method: A new, Stroop-like measure of inhibitory function is described which was designed to be appropriate for use with children from 3 years of age. One hundred and fifty-five school children aged between 3 and 16 years took part in a study to examine the developmental characteristics and behavioural correlates of task performance. Results: The task appears to provide a robust measure of inhibitory function across the age range, 3 to 16 years. Furthermore, the animal-stroop task appears to identify those at risk of hyperactive symptomatology within a school-based sample. Conclusions: The clinical and developmental applications of this new measure are discussed.