Exploring the Impact of Chronotype on Spontaneous Pupil Fluctuation during a Cognitive Task

Mesken, Tessa (2024) Exploring the Impact of Chronotype on Spontaneous Pupil Fluctuation during a Cognitive Task. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

This study investigates spontaneous fluctuations in pupil size during a visual detection task, specifically examining the impact of chronotype on these fluctuations. Chronotype, determined by the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), categorizes individuals into morning, intermediate, and evening types. These different types vary in the time of a day in which their cognitive performance peaks. The study aims to clarify whether individuals performing cognitive tasks during their peak performance times, exhibit different spontaneous pupil fluctuations compared to those performing the tasks outside their peak times. Participants completed a visual detection task while their pupil size was measured using an eye tracker. The analyses included independent sample t-tests, and multiple regression, which controlled for different variables that might influence spontaneous fluctuation. Results showed no significant differences in spontaneous pupil fluctuations between individuals performing tasks during their peak performance time and those outside their peak performance time, neither in the light nor the dark condition. The multiple regression analyses identified task difficulty as a significant predictor of spontaneous fluctuations, with easier tasks associated with greater fluctuations. Self-reported sleepiness also predicted lower fluctuations in the light condition. These findings challenges the hypothesis that chronotype influences spontaneous fluctuations in pupil size during cognitive tasks.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor)
Supervisor name:	Ruuskanen, V.H.S.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	None [Bachelor Psychology]
Date Deposited:	30 Jul 2024 07:07
Last Modified:	30 Jul 2024 07:07
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4172

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