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Research Team
Research Team
Jesse Balmer
Jesse Balmer
Speech Pathology & Audiology
Elizabeth Lydon
Elizabeth Lydon
Speech Pathology & Audiology
Abstract/Introduction
Abstract/Introduction
Semantic competition refers to the phenomena in which multiple related meanings compete during language processing. The picture-word interference (PWI) task is a widely used paradigm for investigating semantic competition. The use of this task through the employment of eye-tracking provides a window into visual attention and may help reveal how control processes operate during semantic competition. For this project, an exploratory review of the literature relevant to eye-tracking, PWI, and cognitive control was conducted to gain awareness of relevant literature and subsequent gaps that require further insight.
Research Questions
Research Questions
To what extent has eye-tracking been incorporated into PWI paradigms?
What other paradigms have been used with eye-tracking to examine semantic competition and cognitive control?
What task design features and eye-tracking measures are most relevant for this line of research?
Methods
Methods
Database: PubMed
Search terms: Eye-tracking AND "cognitive control" AND language
Results/Findings and Discussion
Results/Findings and Discussion
The search yielded 29 total studies.
•Studies were excluded from initial exploration if the population of interest was not healthy young adults with typical language development
•Exclusion categories included bilingual speakers (n = 10), individuals with aphasia (n = 2), infants and children (n = 4), and neurodivergent populations (n=1)
Summary of Findings:
•Eye-tracking during PWI: 2 studies
•These studies suggest that eye-tracking may be a useful method for examining cognitive control and semantic interference during PWI
•It was found that during a PWI task, participants allocated more visual attention to the superimposed word rather than the picture
•It was found that the initial saccade was first to the picture in PWI tasks
•Alternative paradigms used: 7 studies
•Paradigms included Stroop (n = 2), Flanker (n = 2), ASRT (n = 1), and other locally developed tasks (n= 2).
•These studies propound that tasks that don’t combine lexical retrieval & semantic competition provide significant insight into cognitive control
•Relevant variables for eye-tracking:
•Variables identified as relevant included saccades, and fixation-based measures.
•It was found that the average time to process a picture was approximately 100 ms versus the time it takes to process a word was 200-300 ms after onset
•Fixation give us the most relevant information for eye-tracking
Conclusions and Future Study
Conclusions and Future Study
In conclusion, it was found that more work is yet needed on PWI & eye-tracking. Primary variables of interest for further exploration were defined as fixation & saccades.
After this semester, this project will be further explored in preparation for a young adult study. This will be accomplished through the traning of eye-tracking methodology and importing PWI paradigm into eye-tracking format. From here, pilot testing will be ran and the study will be planned, including submitting an IRB proposal. Once approved, research will be conducted to further these findings.
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the dedication and support of my lab, led by Dr. Elizabeth Lydon and the encouragement of my peers in the lab who worked alongside me this semester. I look forward to continuing this work in the summer.
NACE Career Readiness Competencies
NACE Career Readiness Competencies
Critical thinking: Compared current literature to summarize key findings & literature gaps
Career & Self-Development: Expanded research skills through gaining independence in synthesizing research questions
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