Event-related potentials associated with Chinese and English color-word Stroop tasks in Chinese bilinguals

Objective To investigate the neural electrophysiological activity underlying Chinese and English Stroop tasks for Chinese-English bilinguals. Methods Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded in 14 Chinese bilinguals with a moderate command of English when they performed the Stroop task presented in English words and Chinese characters, respectively. Results In Chinese task version, it was found an increased positivity over bilateral front-polar regions on incongruent trials compared with congruent trials, followed by an increased negativity over fronto-central region and an increased positivity over occipital region. While in English task version, only the increased negativity was observed over fronto-central region, but with reduced amplitude and anterior distribution. Conclusion This increased negativity was proposed as an index of the resolution processes of conflicting information in the incongruent situation. The increased positivity over occipital region on Chinese incongruent trials may indicate visually rechecking effect for Chinese character.