Flanker Buddy: Eriksen Flanker task app
The Eriksen Flanker task app for measuring selective attention and cognitive control — the ability to focus on a central target while ignoring conflicting flankers. Runs on iPhone, iPad and Android.
One-time purchase · No subscription · No account · iOS & Android · 9 languages
What the Flanker task measures
Flanker Buddy implements the classic Eriksen Flanker paradigm, where participants respond to the direction of a central target (for example, the centre arrow in a row such as ◀◀▶◀◀) while ignoring the flanking symbols on either side. Comparing congruent and incongruent trials reveals selective attention and cognitive control.
Settings
- Number of trials: 40 to 120 in steps of 10 (default 80).
- Stimuli: arrows (◀ ▶) or letters, with seven Eriksen-style letter pairs such as H/S.
- Neutral trials: optional. When on, about 20% of trials have flankers without a direction.
- Response window: 1000, 1500 or 2000 ms (default 1500).
- Brief stimulus flash: optional. Shows the row for 100, 200 or 300 ms, then blanks the screen for the rest of the window.
- Feedback: optional correct/incorrect flash after each trial.
Each trial starts with a 500 ms fixation, and trials are separated by a random 800–1200 ms interval. Target directions are balanced within each condition and the trial order is shuffled. Participants answer with a left and a right tap zone.
Results and CSV export
After each test you can add a test name, remark, age and gender. The app reports:
- Accuracy and mean reaction time per condition (congruent, incongruent and neutral). Mean RT uses correct trials only.
- Flanker effect: mean RT on incongruent minus congruent trials.
- Facilitation and interference relative to neutral trials, when the neutral condition is on.
- Overall accuracy, with every trial classed as correct, incorrect or timeout.
The CSV starts each session with its settings and summary scores, followed by one row per trial with the columns trial_index,stimulus_kind,condition,target_direction,flanker_array,response_direction,stimulus_shown_at,response_at,reaction_time_ms,outcome. Export one session or many at once through the share sheet. The CSV is always in English, whatever the app language.
Data and privacy
Flanker Buddy has no account, no server and no analytics. Test results are stored only on the device and leave it only when you export a CSV. On Android, the system's own device backup may include app data. See the privacy policy for details.
Timing
Reaction times are recorded with millisecond resolution using the device clock, from the moment the finger touches the screen. As with any touchscreen task, the screen and touch sensor add a small delay that differs between devices, so use the same device for comparisons within a study. Flanker Buddy runs on iOS 18.2 or later (iPhone and iPad) and Android 7.0 or later.
For research and education. Research Buddies apps are not medical devices and are not intended for diagnosis or treatment.
Flanker Buddy FAQ
Can I use this app for my bachelor or master thesis?
Yes. Flanker Buddy is built to make it easy to run Eriksen Flanker sessions and export the flanker effect and per-condition reaction times for your study.
What is the difference between congruent, incongruent, and neutral trials?
On congruent trials the flankers point the same way as the target (◀◀◀◀◀), on incongruent trials they point the opposite way (▶▶◀▶▶), and on optional neutral trials the flankers carry no direction. The reaction-time cost on incongruent trials is the flanker effect.
Can I change the number of trials and the stimuli?
Yes. You can set the total trials, switch between arrow and letter stimuli, pick a letter pair, adjust the response window, and toggle the neutral condition, brief flash, and feedback to fit your protocol.
How do I cite Flanker Buddy?
Cite it as software, for example in APA 7 style: Byrt. (Year). Flanker Buddy (Version x.y) [Mobile app]. https://researchbuddies.com/flanker-buddy. Fill in the version you used and the year it was released. Both are shown on the app's App Store or Google Play page.
Reference
- Eriksen, B. A., & Eriksen, C. W. (1974). Effects of noise letters upon the identification of a target letter in a nonsearch task. Perception & Psychophysics, 16(1), 143–149.
Use Flanker Buddy with other Research Buddies apps
Combine Flanker Buddy with Stroop Buddy for Stroop Tests, Vigilance Buddy for Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) tests, NBack Buddy for N-back working memory tasks, Trail Buddy for Trail Making Tests, and Go/No-Go Buddy for response inhibition, or visit the Research Buddies home page to discover all apps.