Abstract
We assessed whether there are differences in pupil response that underlie the selection of local vs. global parts of a stimulus array in healthy adults. We designed a Navon Figures eyetracking paradigm (i.e. large figure composed of small figures), requiring an individual to vary only the information attended to within an image. We found that participants have a characteristic constriction of the pupil waveform during selection of local information relative to global information. Because stimuli and lighting conditions were identical across conditions, this indicates that pupil changes may serve in a visual filtering mechanism important for attentional selection. This work represents the first characterization of pupil response in the context of selective attention, suggesting that mechanisms underlying the earliest stages of visual processes could be relevant for perception and visual selection.
Highlights
IntroductionAn individual’s visual environment consists of a vast array of individual, detailed elements (i.e. local information) arranged within a broader, contextual configuration (i.e. global information)
An individual’s visual environment consists of a vast array of individual, detailed elements arranged within a broader, contextual configuration
In the final segment of the pupil response waveform (Phase 4), change in pupil size did not differ between conditions (Global Δ Value: -0.08 mm, Local Δ Value: -0.07 mm; t(32) = -0.23, p = 0.82, NS). These results indicate that, when selecting local relative to global information, participants displayed a significant difference between conditions and demonstrated greater constriction during Phase 2 followed by greater dilation during Phase 3 for local trials relative to global trials
Summary
An individual’s visual environment consists of a vast array of individual, detailed elements (i.e. local information) arranged within a broader, contextual configuration (i.e. global information). An individual is required to attend to either the larger, global figure, or the smaller, local form, as quickly as possible. Neurophysiological and neuroimaging studies have revealed important information regarding cortical regions and structural changes associated with global visual processing [3,4,5]. While methods such as these have been successful for understanding the potential neurobiological mechanisms subserving visual perception and global-local processing, psychophysiological methods such as eyetracking and pupillometry offer a non-invasive and inexpensive peripheral index of underlying neural function
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