Gaze and memory: An investigation into the role of eye movements in maintaining verbal and spatial information

Nikolov, Teodor 2024. Gaze and memory: An investigation into the role of eye movements in maintaining verbal and spatial information. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

Preview	PDF (Thesis) - Accepted Post-Print Version Download (3MB) | Preview
	PDF (Cardiff University Electronic Publication Form) - Supplemental Material Restricted to Repository staff only Download (1MB)

Abstract

This thesis aims to investigate the role of gaze shifts during encoding and maintenance of verbal and spatial information and explore potential moderating factors. Chapter 2 examined the influence of the type of information to be recalled and predictability of recall order on oculomotor behaviour. Results replicated previous findings of lower probability of looking at presented items when encoding spatial compared to verbal information, and more looks towards locations of previously presented items when maintaining spatial information, which was further boosted when the recall order was not predictable. To examine the role of long-term memory, Chapter 3 explored eye movements when encoding and retaining verbal information that has a familiar spatial layout compared with the same verbal information presented in a novel layout. Results showed gaze patterns differ, suggesting recruitment of different spatial rehearsal strategies. Chapter 4 examined eye movements in a novel task separating presentation and recall locations to distinguish between gaze indicative of rehearsal and output preparation. Results showed a gaze bias towards memorised locations and towards action-relevant locations when recalling spatial information compared to verbal information. Limited evidence for these observed gaze patterns influencing memory performance was found, with looking back to locations that previously contained memory items being indicative of rehearsal attempts. Despite multiple biases influencing eye movements, oculomotor behaviour revealed looking towards previously presented items, but the lack of a clear link between gaze patterns and recall suggests that gaze can provide limited support for spatial rehearsal. These findings can help refine current working memory theories by highlighting the limited role of eye movements in spatial memory maintenance.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Psychology
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	9 August 2024
Last Modified:	09 Aug 2024 14:38
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/171272

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item