Monitoring Cognitive and Emotional Processes Through Pupil and Cardiac Response During Dynamic Versus Logical Task

Abstract

The paper deals with the links between physiological measurements and cognitive and emotional functioning. As long as the operator is a key agent in charge of complex systems, the definition of metrics able to predict his performance is a great challenge. The measurement of the physiological state is a very promising way but a very acute comprehension is required; in particular few studies compare autonomous nervous system reactivity according to specific cognitive processes during task performance and task related psychological stress is often ignored. We compared physiological parameters recorded on 24 healthy subjects facing two neuropsychological tasks: a dynamic task that require problem solving in a world that continually evolves over time and a logical task representative of cognitive processes performed by operators facing everyday problem solving. Results showed that the mean pupil diameter change was higher during the dynamic task; conversely, the heart rate was more elevated during the logical task. Finally, the systolic blood pressure seemed to be strongly sensitive to psychological stress. A better taking into account of the precise influence of a given cognitive activity and both workload and related task-induced psychological stress during task performance is a promising way to better monitor operators in complex working situations to detect mental overload or pejorative stress factor of error.

Reward and Uncertainty Favor Risky Decision-Making in Pilots: Evidence from Cardiovascular and Oculometric Measurements

“…We assume that our landing task was a very simplified situation compared to real flight conditions that are much more complex in terms of information processing. Nevertheless the analysis of the physiological responses showed that the task has generated notable energy mobilization and psychological stress as the mean HR was significantly higher during task in comparison to the resting state (Boutcher and Boutcher 2006;Causse et al 2010;Sosnowski et al 2004). In the same way, the fall of the total HRV during both runs in comparison to rest state is coherent with an increased mental workload (Ryu and Myung 2005;Thayer et al 2009).…”

“…The shifting from cold to hot decision-making may be revealed by changes in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity (Buchanan et al 2010;Thayer et al 2009) and can be measured by heart rate (HR), blood pressure (Boutcher and Boutcher 2006;Causse et al 2010;Dehais et al 2011;Sosnowski et al 2004) or heart rate variability (HRV) (Capa et al 2008;Duschek et al 2009;Ryu and Myung 2005). For instance, Brosschot and Thayer (2003) found that HR varied during positive and negative affect.…”

Clinical experimental stress studies: methods and assessment

“…Pupil diameter is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, and changes in pupil size provide a strong indication of the affective state of a person (Causse et al, 2010). The pupil can constrict to 1.5 mm in diameter or dilate to about 8-9 mm depending on the predominant activation of parasympathetic or sympathetic nervous system.…”

Mitigation of Conflicts with Automation

“…Second, participants' ocular activity was recorded to ensure that attentional shrinking was mitigated, as indicated by increased saccadic activity and a greater number of scanned areas of interest. Finally, heart rate (HR) was also measured to establish whether sympathetic activity is reduced because of the countermeasure, thus suggesting less psychological stress and less mobilization of mental resources to deal with the situation (Causse, Sénard, Démonet, & Pastor, 2010).…”