The Stroop Effect

The Stroop effect is a fundamental principle of psychology. Dr. John R. Stroop first described the negative effects of multi-tasking in the 1930s. The basic tests that Stroop developed to study the problem continued to be used almost 90 years later. I would go into an explanation of the Stroop effect, but you can look that up on your own if you happen to be in psychological studies.

Those of you not interested in psychology may wonder why I bring up the Stroop effect, only to drop the subject without even explaining what it is. Fair enough, here is my reason. John R. Stroop did the research for his Ph.D. carefully. His name has been and will be remembered because he did his work well.
That is my real subject, doing our tasks well.

Dr. Stroop enjoyed studying and teaching psychology, but he was first and foremost a worshipper of God. If you seek his name in our church library, you will find that he authored at least four books on biblical subjects. His biblical studies are, like his writings on psychology, somewhat dated. Writing styles have changed. As a result, some of what he wrote might seem a bit dry to many twenty-first century readers.

But what impresses me about the man is that he did his work well. John R. Stroop (or J. Ridley Stroop as he was generally known in the church) was a hard worker and a clear thinker. He was not in the habit of just repeating what others said (about the Bible or about psychology); nor was he one of those fools who just wanted to say something new to be saying something new (regardless of its truthfulness or practical value).

We live in a day of overspecialization. Too many people have studied almost everything about almost nothing. Within their area of specialization, they may be okay but their other work is poorly done. We live in a day of shoddy workmanship and throwaway products. The Bible tells us “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Col 3:23-24). J. Ridley Stroop understood that; and he lived that way. I admire him for that.