Eye-tracker correlates of MMPI-2-RF negative emotionality scales

• Main Author: Cannon, Elissa Maria Catherine
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01-01-2015
• Subjects: Psychobiology; Psychology
• ISBN: 9781321710687; 1321710682

The current study is designed to examine correlations between narrow band scales of MMPI and physical indicators accessible to the eye tracker. Prior studies have shown that eye trackers can pick up subtle differences in vision patterns which can relate to psychological disorders, and a pilot study found connections between eye tracker metrics and negative emotionality. Results may yield insight into the connection between individual gaze patterns and personality. Participants were 146 WCU students. They completed a consent form, short demographics form, PHQ-9, and the 338-item MMPI-RF-2 in a small group setting, and they completed the eye-tracker task individually. They were shown a series of 4 30-second videos with sound and 30 pictures which had previously been rated for emotionality, and the Tobii eye-tracker recorded their gaze patterns, pupillometry, and eye-movement dynamics. Data analysis showed correlations between the eye tracker variables of pupil size, fixation size, and fixation length with the negative internalizing RF scales of the MMPI-2-RF. This indicates that people with higher levels of internalizing problems may engage in more avoidant activity when presented with negative stimuli.