Cognitive strategies in an ecological executive functions assessment task: analysis of the eye movement pattern
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Tipo
Dissertação
Data de publicação
2025-06-17
Periódico
Citações (Scopus)
Autores
Rodrigues, Matheus de Melo
Orientador
Macedo, Elizeu Coutinho de
Título da Revista
ISSN da Revista
Título de Volume
Membros da banca
Boggio, Paulo Sérgio
Hodgson, Timothy
Hodgson, Timothy
Programa
Ciências do Desenvolvimento Humano
Resumo
This study examined problem-solving strategies in an ecologically valid multitasking
paradigm by analyzing visual exploration patterns. Sixty-four young adults (M_age =
22.1 years, SD = 2.4; 75% female) performed the Hotel task (HT) while wearing
portable eye-tracking glasses. In addition to the HT, participants completed an
antisaccade inhibitory control test, the Wiener Matrzen-Test 2 to assess fluid
intelligence, and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function—Adult version
(BRIEF-A). Eye-tracking data were segmented into areas of interest (AOIs)
corresponding to each HT subtask, the instructions screen, and the clock display.
Behavioral and ocular metrics were then examined using Spearman correlations,
Hidden Markov Model–informed sequence analysis, k-means clustering, and Welch’s
ANOVAs with Games–Howell post hoc tests. A significant negative correlation
emerged between self-reported working memory difficulties and planning performance
on the HT (r = –0.31, p < .05), indicating that participants who reported more working
memory problems demonstrated poorer planning. Likewise, longer antisaccade
latencies were associated with greater deviation from the target completion time on
the HT (r = 0.27, p < .05), suggesting that inhibitory control delays translated into less
accurate time management. Cluster analysis of transition counts between AOIs
revealed three distinct strategy profiles. The first profile, characterized by efficient
planners, combined high planning scores, frequent clock monitoring, low time
deviation, and a high number of tasks completed. The second profile displayed
moderate performance across all metrics, whereas the third profile comprised
inefficient performers who displayed a more evenly distributed pattern of transitions.
These findings support the theory that executive-function deficits impair temporal
organization and that repeated failures in time management further deplete both
cognitive and emotional resources. Overall, this study highlights the value of
ecologically valid assessments for understanding executive functioning and suggests
that effective interventions should integrate cognitive training for executive processes
with strategies aimed at mitigating the emotional impact of chronic time-management
difficulties.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
eye movements , neuropsychology , executive Function , eye trackin