Flanker Test: Train selective attention and focus

The Eriksen Flanker Test was developed in 1974. It measures the ability to ignore irrelevant information. You are shown a series of arrows - you only need to respond to the middle one and ignore the surrounding 'flankers'. In incongruent trials (flankers pointing in a different direction), you are slower.

Scientific significance

The Flanker test measures selective attention, conflict processing, and cognitive control. Over 5,000 scientific studies use it. fMRI studies show activation in the anterior cingulate cortex. Flanker interference can be reduced through training.

Application in daily life

In everyday life: finding important information despite distractions, following the speaker in meetings, working in open-plan offices. In traffic: recognizing the relevant sign among advertisements, paying attention to the correct road user. When learning: distinguishing key statements from details, avoiding confusion from false answer options.

Improvement strategies

Narrowing focus: consciously concentrate only on the center. Anticipation: expect conflicts to occur. Speed vs. accuracy: prioritize accuracy at first, then increase speed. After 2-3 weeks of training, measurable improvements are typical.

Flanker Test in SynapseGym

SynapseGym offers arrow mode (classic, intuitive), letter mode (higher cognitive demand), and color mode (maximum challenge). Features: adaptive difficulty, reaction time measurement in milliseconds, congruence analysis, streak system.