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MENTAL MODEL · M4452

The Flanker Effect

The Flanker Effect
Learn & MetacognitionHigh supportCognitive Psychology
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Updated 2026-08-08

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INTRODUCTION

English translation pending.

CORE DEFINITION

Introduced by Barbara Eriksen and Charles Eriksen. When a central target is surrounded by irrelevant flanking stimuli that call for a different response, such as an H surrounded by S letters, responses are slower and less accurate. The flankers are processed involuntarily and activate the competing response. The task is a standard measure of attentional control and interference, and it quantifies how much irrelevant material costs even when it is explicitly irrelevant.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

- Clear the field: remove competing material from the visual area where focused work happens - Measure the cost: treat slowed performance as evidence of interference rather than of low ability - Isolate the task: use a dedicated view or space so conflicting signals cannot reach the target

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Stimuli near the focus of attention are processed even when the task defines them as irrelevant, and each activates its associated response. When flanker and target require different responses, the two activations compete and the correct one must win, which costs time. Because the interference happens before deliberate filtering, awareness of the irrelevance does not prevent it.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriksen_flanker_taskZH · Explicit
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