Pupil dilation reflects interference during memory retrieval

• We demonstrate that pupillometry can be used to track memory interference independent of explicit responses. Pupil diameter was recordedthroughout encoding and retrieval of words from the same category over 4 trials, causing buildup of proactive interference (PI). In a contrastingcondition, the category was switched on the 4th trial, causing release from interference (RI). Pupil dilation systematically increased for bothconditions as interference built up and retrieval performance declined. Critically, in trial 4 the RI condition resulted in improved retrievalperformance, with significantly smaller pupil dilation than in the PI condition, where performance continued to decline. Principal component analysisrevealed an early dilation peak possibly related to control of interference, and a later component possibly linked to memory search.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

pupillometry

memory retrieval

Interference

principal component analysis

Publikations- och innehållstyp

kon (ämneskategori)

ref (ämneskategori)