Data from: Pupillometry reveals perceptual differences that are tightly linked to autistic traits in typical adults

The pupil is primarily regulated by prevailing light levels, but is also modulated by perceptual and attentional factors. We measured pupil-size in typical adult humans viewing a bistable-rotating cylinder, constructed so the luminance of the front surface changes with perceived direction of rotation. In some participants, pupil diameter oscillated in phase with the ambiguous perception, more dilated when the black surface was in front. Importantly, the magnitude of oscillation predicts autistic traits of participants, assessed by the Autism-Spectrum Quotient AQ. Further experiments suggest that these results are driven by differences in perceptual styles: high AQ participants focus on the front surface of the rotating cylinder, while those with low AQ distribute attention to both surfaces in a more global, holistic style. This is the first evidence that pupillometry reliably tracks inter-individual differences in perceptual styles; it does so quickly and objectively, without interfering with spontaneous perceptual strategies.瞳孔主要受当前光照水平调控，但同时也会受到感知与注意力因素的调节。我们对观看双稳态旋转圆柱体（bistable-rotating cylinder）的典型成年人类受试者的瞳孔大小进行了测量——该圆柱体的正面亮度会随受试者感知到的旋转方向发生变化。部分受试者的瞳孔直径会随这种歧义性感知同步振荡：当黑色表面处于圆柱体正面时，瞳孔会出现更大程度的扩张。值得注意的是，瞳孔振荡的幅度可预测受试者的孤独症特质，该特质通过孤独症谱系商数（Autism-Spectrum Quotient, AQ）进行评估。后续实验表明，上述结果源于感知风格的个体差异：孤独症谱系商数得分较高的受试者会将注意力聚焦于旋转圆柱体的正面，而得分较低的受试者则会以更全局、整体的方式将注意力分配至两个表面。本研究首次证实，瞳孔测量法（pupillometry）能够可靠地反映感知风格的个体间差异；该方法兼具快速性与客观性，且不会干扰受试者的自发感知策略。