Giovanna C. Del Sordo
PhD Candidate, Experimental/Cognitive Psychology
New Mexico State University
Research Interests
My research involves the study of human cognitive processes, with the main objective of understanding how it relates to LC-NE (locus-coeruleus norepinephrine) system functioning. My current research focuses on three aspects of human attention: (1) neural gain fluctuations during attentional tasks; (2) differentiating between different forms of sustained attention; and (3) individual differences in cognitive abilities as a predictor of attentional performance.
For my PhD dissertation, I am investigating ways to distinguish between active and passive forms of sustained attention (stay tuned!).
Another area of interest I have is on attentional performance, and more specifically, on the interaction between attentional performance and effort mobilization (a.k.a. cognitive effort). I am looking at how aware people are about their own attentional processes (meta-attention) while performing a sustained attention task, and how their confidence judgements correlate with their perceived cognitive effort.
To address my research question, and in addition to behavioral paradigm, I am also using pupillometry (pupil dilation) to study the neural mechanisms of the LC-NE system. The LC-NE is tightly linked to attentional states and effort and I hope that my research can advance our understanding of LC functioning.
Apart from my own research, I'm also actively involved in collaborative efforts with researchers across different areas, where I contribute to methodological plans and take the lead on statistical analyses.
Current research projects
Exploration vs. exploitation in a novel complex card sorting task: Insight from pupillometry.
The exploration-exploitation tradeoff is a key element of Adaptive Gain Theory, suggested to promote the optimization of behavior toward high performance. This tradeoff is closely related to the phasic and tonic modes of the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system.
To measure exploration and exploitation using a paradigm with tonic (baseline pupil size) and phasic (task-evoked pupil response) recordings, the present study used a novel Complex Card Sorting (CCS) task.
In this task, participants classify cards according to different, unspecified rules, Participants learn complex classification rules through trial and error using correct-incorrect feedback. This task taps into cognitive flexibility, as participants switch between exploration trials (i.e., testing new rules) and exploitation trials (exploiting the rule that currently applies). Two versions of this task were created to manipulate task difficulty. The “easy” version of the task has rules made up of three possible characteristics: color, shape, and number of shapes. Participants must classify cards according to six possible rules defined by consistencies across one or two features. In the “difficult” version, we added another characteristic (size of the shapes). In addition to the six rules in the easy version, this adds four more classification possibilities.
In addition to validating the CCS task as a novel method for measuring exploration-exploitation tradeoffs, we are also assessing participants' fluid intelligence as individual differences are expected.
Preliminary results were presented at the Psychonomic Society's 64th Annual Meeting (November 16-19, 2023) in San Francisco, CA, USA.
Individual differences in attentional resource allocation.
One of my ongoing project is to look at the contribution of cognitive reserve (CR) and fluid intelligence (gF) separately and conjointly on individual differences observed in attentional performance. Strong individual differences in attentional resource allocation have been evidenced depending on individuals’ gF, working memory capacity, and executive functioning. In the present study, we proposed to examine CR as a more comprehensive factor possibly contributing to these individual differences. CR is a latent construct referring to the capacity of individuals to efficiently use cognitive resources and adapt to challenges. It is believed to build up throughout the lifespan through life experiences (education, occupation, leisure time activities...).
Preliminary results were presented at the 2023 Rocky Mountain Psychological Association conference in Albuquerque, NM. Data collection is still ongoing, stay tuned!
