In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington have discovered a link between pupil dilation and working memory capacity. This research suggests that pupil metrics could potentially serve as non-invasive indicators of cognitive load and memory capacity, opening up new possibilities for cognitive assessments.
Pupil Dilation and Working Memory
The study, published in the journal Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, involved 179 undergraduate students who performed various working memory tasks while their pupil responses were monitored. The researchers found a positive correlation between pupil dilation during cognitive tasks and higher working memory performance. Participants with greater pupil dilation were able to better recall and process information, indicating that pupil dilation could be a valuable measure of working memory.