Eye Movements and Cognitive Strategies

Abstract

Eye movements were recorded using an infra-red reflection method from two female subjects while they took the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. The purpose of the study was to investigate the manner in which oculomotor behavior may characterize an individual's verbal-cognitive ability, and to study processing and evaluating visual information. Correct responses on the test were best associated with relatively high fixation density, i.e., frequency, for the chosen item compared to alternative selections. When the chosen item was an incorrect response die most predictive measure was that the chosen item received the longest duration of fixation. Less useful measures studied were mean duration of fixation and total time spent looking at each alternative (gaze time). Upon exposure of the test items, the initial fixation was on the left and the initial direction of eye movement was clockwise. Based on a sequential “scan pattern” analysis of location, frequency, and duration of fixation, other evidence of psycho-oculomotor strategies was not observed. It is suggested that a trade-off may exist between the various parameters of oculomotor behavior and that perhaps by some unique combination and analysis of selected measures it would be possible to further elucidate how eye movements reflect cognitive processes.