Modulating role of stress on dynamics of eye-movement during Schulte tables completion

Abstract

Perception processes might alter in stressful conditions, which supposedly impacts the oculomotor activity during visual search tasks. In this study we used Schulte tables in order to assess visual attention and changes in eye-movement patterns in a stressful situation. Nineteen normotypical respondents (mean age 18.36, SD 0.7, all female) took part in the experiment. Data was recorded with Eyelink 1000+ of the left eye at the rate of 500 hz with the head stabilized. They were presented with three Schulte tables and clicked on numbers in the 1st in ascending order, the 2nd in descending order and the 3rd in alternation. The experimental group completed the tasks with metronome and with the aim of the fastest completion. The control group completed without limitation in time. The success of completion was measured by the correct order of mouse clicks. The Spearman’s correlations between the points of efficiency of task completion and oculomotor data in experimental group in the 3rd alternation table were obtained: the efficiency was higher when fewer fixation count (r=-.802, p=.005), saccade count (r=-.802, p=.005) and returns (r=-.620, p=.050) were executed. Also, the saccade amplitude positively correlates with the participants’ efficiency (r=.815, p=.004). The mean discrepancy of optimal scan-path and factual scan-path was calculated for each respondent and negatively correlated with efficiency (r=-.802, p=.005) demonstrated that following the most optimal path increased the performance success. Moreover, we conducted an analysis to determine the mean dispersion of the total absolute change in speed (TACS) across two axes through mathematical calculations. The findings indicated that TACS exhibited a statistically significant difference solely in relation to the 1st Schulte table when comparing the control and experimental groups using a t-test (p=.04). Consequently, the outcomes suggest that under stressful conditions, TACS is decreased, which represents equal speed of saccades. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that in stressful situations with higher cognitive load the precision of task completion is higher when fewer saccades, fixations and returns are performed as well as following the most optimal scan path.