Cognitive strategies in an ecological executive functions assessment task: analysis of the eye movement pattern

• Ano de defesa: 2025
• Autor(a) principal: Rodrigues, Matheus de Melo
• Orientador(a): Macedo, Elizeu Coutinho de
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Tipo de acesso: Acesso aberto
• Idioma: eng; por
• Palavras-chave em Português: eye movements; neuropsychology; executive Function; eye trackin
• Link de acesso: https://dspace.mackenzie.br/handle/10899/41009

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.