Cited by 1,617Memory Processes and InfluencesCognitive Abilities and TestingNeural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

Pupil Diameter and Load on Memory

Kahneman, Daniel, Beatty, Jackson·1966·Science

Abstract

During a short-term memory task, pupil diameter is a measure of the amount of material which is under active processing at any time. The pupil dilates as the material is presented and constricts during report. The rate of change of these functions is related to task difficulty.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1126/science.154.3756.1583

Cites

7 of 7 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Anything that increases the brain's processing load will dilate the pupil.

    “Kahneman and Beatty (Kahneman and Beatty 1966) established that 'anything that increases the brain's processing load will dilate the pupil.'”

    From Human-Clinical AI Agent Collaboration (2025) · cites this paper as Kahneman and Beatty 1966

  • There is a fundamental mismatch between the dynamic nature of human cognition and the static interaction patterns of current Clinical AI systems.

    “we identify a fundamental mismatch between the dynamic nature of human cognition and the static interaction patterns of current Clinical AI systems.”

    From Human-Clinical AI Agent Collaboration (2025) · cites this paper as Kahneman and Beatty 1966

  • Pupil dilation reliably indicates cognitive load when controlling for luminance and accommodation.

    “Fifty years of research demonstrates that pupil dilation reliably indicates cognitive load when controlling for luminance and accommodation.”

    From Human-Clinical AI Agent Collaboration (2025) · cites this paper as Kahneman and Beatty 1966

  • When a participant reads a question or is presented with a problem to solve, his/her pupil diameter increases steadily until he/she provides an answer, at which point the pupil diameter decreases again.

    “In general, when a participant reads a question or is presented with a problem to solve, his/ her pupil diameter increases steadily until he/she provides an answer, at which point the pupil diameter decreases again (Kahneman and Beatty 1966).”

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Authors
Kahneman, D., & Beatty, J.
Affiliations
  • Harvard University (US)
  • University of Michigan (US)
Venue
Science
Published
1966-12-23
Volume
154
Issue
3756
Pages
1583-1585
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W1976339519
Cited by
1,617
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 98 · 2025: 127 · 2024: 101 · 2023: 92 · 2022: 111 · 2021: 117 · 2020: 113 · 2019: 121 · 2018: 113 · 2017: 76 · 2016: 87 · 2015: 79 · 2014: 56 · 2013: 58 · 2012: 33
FWCI
9.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Keywords
pupil size, short-term memory, memory load, pupil dilation, miosis, task difficulty, active processing, visual attention
MeSH terms
Adult, Female, Humans, Memory, Pupil

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