Working memory is a crucial brain function that enables humans to process information while keeping track of their tasks.
Short-term working memory helps complete immediate tasks, like loading the dishwasher, while long-term working memory aids in deciding what information to store for future use, such as planning for more dishwasher soap.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington, including Matthew Robison and Lauren D. Garner, conducted an experiment to study the relationship between working memory and pupil dilation. Their study, published in the journal Attention, Perception & Psychophysics, revealed that individuals with better working memory exhibit more pupil dilation when concentrating on tasks.
According to Robison, the study involved 179 undergraduate students who completed working memory tasks while their pupils were continuously measured using an eye-tracker. The results showed that participants with higher levels of pupil dilation performed better on memory tasks, indicating a strong connection between attention and working memory.
This research, supported by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and U.S. Army Research Institute, contributes valuable insights into the variations in working memory performance among individuals.
