Previously it has been theorized that differential functioning of the locus coeruleus–norepinephrine (LC–NE) system affects people’s ability to regulate arousal, which has impacts on cognitive abilities. In the present study, we investigated three potential mechanisms by which the LC–NE system can fail to regulate arousal appropriately: hypoarousal, hyperarousal, and dysregulation of arousal. Each of these three could potentially account for why arousal affects cognition. To test the contributions of these three mechanisms, the present study examined individual differences in working memory capacity (WMC) and the regulation of arousal using pupillometry. Participants completed multiple complex span and visual arrays change-detection measures of WMC. An eye-tracker recorded pupil diameter as participants completed the visual arrays tasks. We found rather mixed evidence for the three mechanisms. Arousal dysregulation correlated with lower visual arrays performance and more self-reported attentional lapses. However, arousal regulation did not correlate with complex span performance. There was also some evidence for hypoarousal as an explanatory mechanism, as arousal correlated with attentional lapses. We discuss the implications of the results for theories regarding the role of arousal regulation in cognitive performance and individual differences in cognitive abilities.

以前有理论认为，蓝斑-去甲肾上腺素（LC-NE）系统的功能差异会影响人们调节觉醒的能力，从而影响认知能力。在本研究中，我们调查了LC-NE系统无法适当调节唤醒的三种潜在机制：房颤，房颤和房颤失调。这三个因素中的每一个都可能解释为什么唤醒会影响认知。为了测试这三种机制的作用，本研究检查了工作记忆能力（WMC）和使用瞳孔测量法对唤醒的调节的个体差异。参与者完成了WMC的多个复杂跨度和视觉阵列变化检测措施。当参与者完成视觉阵列任务时，眼动仪记录瞳孔直径。我们发现这三种机制的证据参差不齐。房颤失调与较低的视觉阵列性能和更多自我报告的注意失误相关。然而，唤醒调节与复杂的跨度表现无关。也有一些证据表明，性兴奋是一种解释性的机制，因为唤醒与注意失误有关。我们讨论结果的意义，关于唤醒调节在认知表现中的作用和认知能力中的个体差异的理论。与唤醒与注意失误相关。我们讨论结果的意义，关于唤醒调节在认知表现中的作用和认知能力中的个体差异的理论。与唤醒与注意失误相关。我们讨论了结果的意义，关于唤醒调节在认知表现中的作用和认知能力中的个体差异的理论。