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Cognitive processing load across a wide range of listening conditions: insights from pupillometry.

Authors :
Zekveld AA
Kramer SE
Source :
Psychophysiology [Psychophysiology] 2014 Mar; Vol. 51 (3), pp. 277-84. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Feb 09.
Publication Year :
2014

Abstract

The pupil response to speech masked by interfering speech was assessed across an intelligibility range from 0% to 99% correct. In total, 37 participants aged between 18 and 36 years and with normal hearing were included. Pupil dilation was largest at intermediate intelligibility levels, smaller at high intelligibility, and slightly smaller at very difficult levels. Participants who reported that they often gave up listening at low intelligibility levels had smaller pupil dilations in these conditions. Participants who were good at reading masked text had relatively large pupil dilation when intelligibility was low. We conclude that the pupil response is sensitive to processing load, and possibly reflects cognitive overload in difficult conditions. It seems affected by methodological aspects and individual abilities, but does not reflect subjective ratings.<br /> (Copyright © 2014 Society for Psychophysiological Research.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1540-5958
Volume :
51
Issue :
3
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Psychophysiology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
24506437
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.12151