Strategic gaze: an interactive eye-tracking study

J. Hausfeld,S. Goldlücke,K. von Hesler

doi:10.1007/s10683-020-09655-x

J. Hausfeld, S. Goldlücke + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10683-020-09655-x

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Abstract

We present an interactive eye-tracking study that explores the strategic use of gaze. We analyze gaze behavior in an experiment with four simple games. The game can either be a competitive (hide & seek) game in which players want to be unpredictable, or a game of common interest in which players want to be predictable. Gaze is transmitted either in real time to another subject, or it is not transmitted and therefore non-strategic. We find that subjects are able to interpret non-strategic gaze, obtaining substantially higher payoffs than subjects who do not see gaze. If gaze is transmitted in real time, gaze becomes more informative in the common interest games and players predominantly succeed to coordinate on efficient outcomes. In contrast, gaze becomes less informative in the competitive game.

Highlights

In 1960, Nobel laureate Thomas Schelling described a hypothetical experimental setting to test his theories as follows: “The first stage in the experiment is to invent a machine, perhaps on the principle of the lie detector, that will record or measure a person’s recognition or the focus of his attention [...]” (Schelling 1960: 109)
It has been proven to be useful when studying how people play games and to infer players’ levels of sophistication from recorded gaze data (Knoepfle et al 2009; Wang et al 2010; Stewart et al 2016; Polonio et al 2015).2. In contrast to this literature, we extend the use of eye-tracking technology to be part of the strategic interaction
We find strong evidence that people are able to correctly interpret non-strategic gaze patterns, both in the common interest games and but somewhat less successfully, in the hide & seek game

Summary

Introduction

In 1960, Nobel laureate Thomas Schelling described a hypothetical experimental setting to test his theories as follows: “The first stage in the experiment is to invent a machine, perhaps on the principle of the lie detector, that will record or measure a person’s recognition or the focus of his attention [...]” (Schelling 1960: 109). Eye-tracking has developed into an affordable and precise method that is increasingly used in industry and research (Duchowski 2007; Holmqvist et al 2011) It has attracted the attention of firms that develop technology for the twenty-first century such as eye controls for mobile devices, computer games, or smart homes.. It has been proven to be useful when studying how people play games and to infer players’ levels of sophistication from recorded gaze data (Knoepfle et al 2009; Wang et al 2010; Stewart et al 2016; Polonio et al 2015).2 In contrast to this literature, we extend the use of eye-tracking technology to be part of the strategic interaction It has been proven to be useful when studying how people play games and to infer players’ levels of sophistication from recorded gaze data (Knoepfle et al 2009; Wang et al 2010; Stewart et al 2016; Polonio et al 2015). In contrast to this literature, we extend the use of eye-tracking technology to be part of the strategic interaction

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