Abstract
With a new electronic technique, pupil size of 40 Ss was measured continuously during a series of intellectual tasks. Time estimation or counting elicited no pupillary changes, but pupil diameter reliably increased (approximately 30%) during number memory, multiplication, and word definition. Dilation was greater for novel or more difficult tasks. If S continued to work a problem after answering, dilation persisted, but silent counting by S terminated task perseveration and dilation. Thinking about pleasant or unpleasant experiences elicited inconsistent dilation, constriction, or no change.
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Schaefer, T., Ferguson, J.B., Klein, J.A. et al. Pupillary responses during mental activities. Psychon Sci 12, 137–138 (1968). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03331236
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03331236