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Neurological Sciences
Published in: Neurological Sciences 9/2022

30-05-2022 | Original Article

The pupil and myself: pupil dilation during retrieval of self-defining memories

Authors: Mohamad El Haj, Quentin Lenoble, Ahmed A. Moustafa

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 9/2022

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Abstract

Background

There is a recent interest in pupil dilation during the retrieval of autobiographical memory. We pursued this line of research by measuring pupil diameter during the retrieval of self-defining memories, that is, memories that are highly vivid, emotionally intense, and are retrieved to reflect enduring concerns in a person’s life.

Methods

We invited 40 participants to retrieve self-defining memories while their pupil activity was recorder with eye-tracking glasses. We analyzed memories regarding specificity (i.e., specific or general) and emotional valence (neutral, positive, negative, or mixed).

Results

Analysis demonstrated larger pupil diameter during the retrieval of specific than general self-defining memories. However, no significant differences in pupil diameter were observed across the four emotional categories of self-defining memories.

Discussion

The increased pupil size during retrieval of specific self-defining memories can be attributed to the autonoetic experience during retrieval of these memories and/or to the cognitive load as required to construct these memoires. By investigating pupil dilation during the retrieval of self-defining memories, our study provides an original, ecological, and reliable physiological assessment of these memories.
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Metadata
Title
The pupil and myself: pupil dilation during retrieval of self-defining memories
Authors
Mohamad El Haj
Quentin Lenoble
Ahmed A. Moustafa
Publication date
30-05-2022
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Neurological Sciences / Issue 9/2022
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-022-06163-z

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