Honors College Theses

Publication Date

2024

Major

Psychology (B.S.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (restricted to Georgia Southern)

Faculty Mentor

Ty Boyer

Abstract

Pupillary responses have been found to be an accurate measure of cognitive effort. Motivation has also been found to impact pupillary responses and can influence working memory processes. In the current study, participants completed a survey to assess their motivational style (BIS/BAS) and performed a behavioral, operation span working memory task (OSPAN WM) in either a high or a low motivational condition while pupillary responses were recorded with a Tobii Pro Spark Eye Tracker. It was predicted that relations between the motivational style measures, working memory task performance and that individuals randomly assigned to the high motivational incentive condition would perform better on the working memory task and show greater pupil dilation. Data analysis revealed that although there were differences in these areas between the high and low motivational conditions, there was not a large enough difference to claim a significant correlation between the motivational styles identified from the survey with the working memory task performance or measures of pupil dilation.

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