Pupil is the opening in the center of the iris through which light enters; opening at the eye through which light passes.
In the psychology context, the pupil is the black, circular opening in the center of the iris of the eye that allows light to enter the eye. The size of the pupil is controlled by muscles in the iris, and it can expand or contract in response to changes in light intensity or other stimuli.
Examples of pupil in the psychology context include:
- The use of pupil size or dilation as a measure of arousal or attention, such as in the pupillary light reflex
- The use of pupil size as a measure of emotional response or affect, such as in the study of emotional expressions or facial cues
- The use of pupil size as a measure of cognitive or perceptual load, such as in studies of memory or decision-making
The pupil is an important aspect of the visual system, and it plays a key role in the ability to see and perceive the environment. Psychologists and other mental health professionals may study the pupil in order to understand its function and to explore its role in visual perception and other psychological processes.