Using perspective to resolve reference: the impact of cognitive load and motivation

Journal article


Cane, J., Ferguson, H. and Apperly, I. 2017. Using perspective to resolve reference: the impact of cognitive load and motivation. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition. https://doi.org/10.1037/xlm0000345
AuthorsCane, J., Ferguson, H. and Apperly, I.
Abstract

Research has demonstrated a link between perspective-taking and working memory. Here we used eye-tracking to examine the time course with which working memory load (WML) influences perspective-taking ability in a referential communication task, and how motivation to take another's perspective modulates these effects. In Experiment 1, where there was no reward or time-pressure, listeners only showed evidence of incorporating perspective knowledge during integration of the target object, but did not anticipate reference to this Common Ground object during the pre-target noun period. WML did not affect this perspective use. In Experiment 2 - where a reward for speed and accuracy was applied - listeners used perspective cues to disambiguate the target object from the competitor object from the earliest moments of processing (i.e. during the pre-target noun period)- but only under low load. Under high load, responses were comparable with the control condition, where both objects were in common ground. Furthermore, attempts to initiate perspective-relevant responses under high load led to impaired recall on the concurrent WML task, indicating that perspective-relevant responses were drawing on limited cognitive resources. These results show that when there is ambiguity, perspective cues guide rapid referential interpretation when there is sufficient motivation and sufficient cognitive resources.

Year2017
JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association
ISSN0278-7393
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1037/xlm0000345
Publication dates
Online09 Jan 2017
Publication process dates
Deposited02 Mar 2017
Accepted02 Sep 2016
Accepted author manuscript
Output statusPublished
Additional information

'This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record.'

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