Abstract
Previous research has found that when gaze direction matches the underlying behavioral intent communicated by the expression of a specific emotion, it enhances or facilitates the perception of that emotion; this is called the shared signal hypothesis (SSH). Specifically, a direct gaze shares an approach-orientated signal with the emotions of anger and joy, whereas an averted gaze shares an avoidance-orientated signal with fear and sadness. In this research, we attempted to verify the SSH by using different materials on Asian participants. In Experiment 1 we employed photos of models exhibiting direct and averted gazes for rating tasks, in order to study the effects of gaze direction on participants’ perception of emotion. In Experiment 2 we utilized smiling faces in a similar investigation. The results show that for neutral and smiling faces, a direct gaze (relative to a gaze of avoidance) increased the likelihood of a subject perceiving a happy mood; a gaze of avoidance increased the likelihood that anger and fear would be perceived. The effect of gaze direction on emotional expression perception was verified, but a “facilitating-impairing” pattern was not. The difference between our work and previous research may be attributable to the materials employed (which were more ecological), as well as the participants, who were from a different culture.
Highlights
Among all nonverbal signals, gaze is one of the most attractive facial features and conveys much information (Admoni and Scassellati, 2017)
This study found that gaze direction systematically influenced the perceived emotion disposition conveyed by a neutral face
Adams and Kleck found that a direct gaze enhanced the perception of approach and improved the mood of approach, while avoiding eye contact enhanced the perception of avoidance
Summary
Gaze is one of the most attractive facial features and conveys much information (Admoni and Scassellati, 2017). A gaze usually indicates interest (approach-avoidance), since people often look at things they like and avoid things they don’t (Shimojo et al, 2003; Bayliss et al, 2007). Gaze can have a significant influence on emotional expression perception. Angry people often stare into the eyes of the person with whom they are trying to quarrel or fight, and timid people who fear others may drop their eyes and look away. Previous research has found that when gaze direction matches the underlying behavioral intent (approachavoidance) communicated by an emotional expression, the perception of that emotion is enhanced or facilitated (Adams and Kleck, 2003, 2005)
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