Is pupillary response a reliable index of word recognition? Evidence from a delayed lexical decision task

Identifier:  imarina:5130439

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina5130439

Authors:  Haro, Juan; Guasch, Marc; Valles, Blanca; Ferre, Pilar

Abstract:
Previous word recognition studies have shown that the pupillary response is sensitive to word frequency. However, such pupillary effect may be due to the process of executing a response, instead of being an index of word processing. With the aim of exploring this possibility, we recorded the pupillary response in two experiments involving a lexical decision task (LDT). In the first experiment, participants completed a standard LDT, whereas in the second, they performed a delayed LDT. The delay in the response allowed us to compare pupil dilation with and without the response execution component. Results showed that pupillary response was modulated by word frequency both in the standard and the delayed LDT. This finding supports the reliability of using pupillometry for word recognition research. Importantly, our results also suggest that tasks that do not require a response during pupil recording lead to clearer and stronger effects.