EAGER: Neural Correlates of Complexity in Data Visualizations

Data visualization is fundamental to how we understand world events, make informed decisions, and communicate complex information. Every design choice—from how data is highlighted to how text is annotated—constructs a narrative that guides a viewer's attention and influences their interpretation. While effective designs encourage critical engagement, poorly structured visualizations can increase cognitive load and lead to misinterpretation. Despite the importance of this field, we currently lack a predictive, theory-driven framework to understand how specific design elements foster or hinder deep cognitive engagement with data. This project bridges human-computer interaction and neuroscience to uncover the brain systems responsible for how we process and reason through data. By identifying the neural markers of successful comprehension, this research will produce evidence-based guidelines for creating visualizations. This project employs a neuroscience approach to characterize the neural mechanisms of visualization comprehension and identify design components that drive critical engagement. First, we will utilize functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to map the brain networks recruited during the interpretation of data visualizations, establishing a foundational understanding of the neurocognitive systems involved. Second, we will conduct controlled experiments using a behaviorally validated set of visualizations that vary systematically across different visual complexities. By tracking how these specific design features modulate brain responses and physiological markers, we will determine whether different types of complexity rely on distinct or overlapping neural systems. This work will establish a neuroscience-grounded framework for visualization design, producing empirically validated guidelines to improve critical engagement, understanding, and education in data visualization. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.