Eye-movement investigation of relational binding in episodic memory

Whitlock, Jonathon S.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/124256 Copy

Description

Title

Eye-movement investigation of relational binding in episodic memory

Author(s)

Whitlock, Jonathon S.

Issue Date

2024-04-15

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Sahakyan, Lili

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Sahakyan, Lili

Committee Member(s)

• Benjamin, Aaron
• Federmeier, Kara
• Hannula, Deborah
• Kragel, James

Department of Study

Psychology

Discipline

Psychology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• relational memory
• memory strength
• preferential viewing
• eye-movements
• pupillometry

Abstract

Eye movements reveal memory for past experience, including how individual elements were associated with the context in which they were encountered (Hannula, Ryan, Trannel, & Cohen, 2007). This phenomenon, known as the preferential viewing effect, manifests rapidly and obligatorily, beginning within a second of presenting test items and peaking just before a response is made. However, little attention has been given in the literature to the factors influencing the magnitude of this effect. In a series of studies, I explore the relationship between the strength of relational memory and the extent of the preferential viewing effect, first, by introducing additional study episodes aimed at enhancing memory for item-scene pairs (Experiment 1), and second, by examining subjective confidence judgments in behavioral responses (Experiment 2). Moreover, inconsistencies exist in the literature regarding the relationship between pupil size fluctuations during learning and subsequent memory outcomes. I address this by investigating how pupil size fluctuations during learning relate to preferential viewing, which I demonstrate in Experiments 1 and 2 reflects the quality of relational binding of items to their context during learning. Finally, the role of viewing behavior during retrieval is a subject of debate in eye tracking and memory research. My approach to this complex issue involved providing evidence that initial viewing behavior indicates orientation to information in the environment consistent with retrieved memory. This body of work reveals that pupil dilations during learning and viewing behavior during retrieval are reflective of the quality of relational binding.

Graduation Semester

2024-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2024 Jonathon Whitlock

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