Previous research has shown that, under specific conditions, pointing movements performed by self and others can benefit visuospatial working memory (VSWM). In the present study, we will investigate the oculomotor basis of this beneficial effect. In this study, participants will be presented with two spatial arrays, one of which will be encoded via passive observation (the no-move array), while the other will be encoded via pointing movements (the move array) along with observation. The pointing movements will be performed by both the participant and his partner (the experimenter) in alternation (joint condition). The analysis of eye movements will confirm the behavioral findings previously obtained by Bhatia et al. (2019) and will further show that fixations to move arrays should be higher in number and longer in durations than the fixations to no-move arrays for both action-agents. These results will provide strong evidence for the direct-matching hypothesis.
The proposed study aims to conduct research bringing conceptual integration between fields that have not been examined before with newer techniques. For example, the study by Bhatia et al. (2019) on individual memory representations in visual domains and social cognition which involves joint action is a beautiful integration of the memory domain and social cognition. Current cognitive science aims to explain how the individual interacts with both individual and also with the environment so as to efficiently function cognitively. The use of eye-tracking technique to further study the idea about how memory processes are affected by individual and joint actions will not only support the behavioral results previously obtained by Divya Bhatia under the supervision of Dr. Clelia Rossi-Arnaud (Bhatia et al., 2019) but will also provide empirical evidence to support their working hypothesis. Action control in any modality requires voluntary initiation and is also sensitive to others' influence. This study thus provides a strong basis to carry out suitable research in these domains that aim to integrate memory, action control and cognition both at the level of individual performance and during a joint action.
Extending eye-tracking technique to study memory representations during action control particularly during joint action is a potentially powerful way to study the links between bottom-up and top-down mechanisms in cognition. Eye tracking taps into ongoing transient processes that later become very decisive in perception, cognition and action control that are difficult to capture with other behavioral methods. More particularly these hidden evolving processes are critical in social cognition.
The proposed study in the area of visuospatial working memory and action control will, therefore, be proved very beneficial to doctoral student (Divya Bhatia) who is currently working with the principal project investigator (Dr. Rossi-Arnaud) which will expand her vision by exposing her to newest techniques and conceptual understanding. More offshoots of ideas are also expected out of the interaction that can be extended to deeper questions of social cognition and action control. The methodological complementation will enrich the ongoing activity in these domains. Therefore, I believe that the proposed study would be very fruitful for the ongoing research in the above-mentioned domains.