Intermittent Presentation of Hinoki Odor as the Inhibitory Factor on the Performance and Physiological Responses in Stroop Task

This experiment examines how intermittent presentation of olfactory stimulus affects performance and physiological responses on performing Stroop task. Eight participants performs word-color Stroop task while Hinoki or no odors are presented for 10 sec in every 45 second. Results show Hinoki, compared with no odor, reduce the performances as indicated in longer correct response time and a larger number of error responses. Hinoki activates left forehead cortical activity as measuren in more OxyHb, and sympathetic nervous function shown in decreased plethysmograpy amplitude and increased alpha amylase. These results indicate intermittent presentation activates attentional process, raises arousal level. The differential results of more and less Hinoki favorite groups of participants indicates less favorite participants are diverted their attention to Hinoki and disturbed to performe the task.