Mouse vs. Touch Screen as Input Device: Does it Influence Memory Retrieval?

The main objective of this research is to investigate how input device type influences users' memory retrieval (i.e., stimulus recognition). We build upon prior research on the somatosensory (tactile) system to argue that the use of a direct input device (i.e., touch screen) involves a multisensory experience and more cerebral activities than an indirect input device (i.e., mouse), leading to richer information encoding, and consequently to better information retrieval from memory. A one-factor between-subject experimental design was used to test our hypotheses. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either a mouse or touch screen input device condition. Our results indicate that for individuals with higher need for touch, input device influences activity in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), a brain region associated with multisensory experience, during memory retrieval and stimulus recognition.