Beyond the Gaze: Exploring the Multifaceted Dynamics of Social Attention

Several studies have shown that both gaze and arrows produce attentional orienting toward the signalled location. However, given the clear differences in the nature of these stimuli, the question of whether they rely on the same underlying mechanisms remains open. Recent meta-analytic findings suggest that arrows and gaze cues elicit similar quantitative orienting effects. However, emerging evidence using object-based orienting and spatial interference paradigms indicates that it is possible to qualitatively distinguish the attentional effects elicited by social (i.e., gaze) and non-social (i.e., arrow) cues. Assuming that the dissociation between attentional orienting elicited by eye-gaze and arrows reflects specific mechanisms related to the social relevance of gaze, our research over the years has focused on understanding the behavioural, evolutionary, and neural processes underlying the unique effects of gaze-based attentional orienting. Therefore, we will present findings from several studies addressing the neural correlates, physiological responses, and behavioural performance associated with attention directed by eye-gaze. Further research into the nature of this effect is essential, as a deeper understanding of the attentional-orienting mechanisms related to eye-gaze could contribute to a better understanding of social cognition and, consequently, have important clinical implications.