Fast-eye Movements Possible Indicator of Impulsive Decision Making

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University reported in a recent study that people who are less patient tend to move their eyes with quicker speed. During the study, researchers measured the saccades (simple eye movements) of volunteers to determine whether their saccade speed correlated with decision making and impulsivity. The speed of the volunteers’ saccades was compared to their impulsivity during a patience test, involving a series of dots appearing on a screen. The authors of the study reported that people who made quick eye movements tended to be less patient, suggesting a fundamental link between the way the nervous system evaluates time and reward, and furthermore how it relates to movement control and decision making. To read more about this study, click here.