The development of an eye-tracking program to examine working memory during gameplay

In this experiment we work to examine brain activity and cognitive resources, by using a visual resource (virtual game of Mahjong) to study human working memory. Working memory is the process used to manipulate and maintain information so that the information can be used to carry out tasks (Baddeley, 1974). Many studies have shown that performance on reading comprehension, intellectual aptitude tests, general intelligence, reasoning ability factors, and even moral judgments (Daneman & Carpenter, 1980; Oberauer, Wilhelm, Schulze & Sub, 2005; Kane & Engle, 2003; Kyllonen & Christal, 1990; DeCaro, Thomas & Beilock, 2008; Moore, Clark & Kane, 2008). Furthermore, poor visual working memory, the small amount of visual information held in the mind to carry out cognitive tasks, has been connected to disorders like Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. (Castellanos & Tannock, 2002; Rapport, Alderson, Kofler, Sarver, Bolden & Sims, 2008). It is possible that cognitive differences influence individual eye movement differences. For example, differences in intelligence, speed of processing, or working memory can influence the speed and direction of the eye during tasks. Eye coordinates, or gaze information, informs visualization. Eye tracking is the process of measuring the relative motion of the eye or the point of gaze of the subject. Eye tracking technologies are used in many avenues, from camera operation to military weapon operation. In scientific research eye trackers, devices used for measuring eye positions, are used in study of the visual system. Previously research has used eye tracking to gain information on the cognitive resources of a subject. For example, tracking the eyes during a PowerPoint presentation to study correlations between information retention and the gaze of the eye (Slykhuis, Weibe, Annetta 2005). In this study I've created an eye tracking system to study the working memory and cognitive differences with the purpose of provided insight into the reasoning behind individual working memory performance differences