The effect of head turn on the perception of gaze

Vision Res. 2009 Jul;49(15):1979-93. doi: 10.1016/j.visres.2009.05.013. Epub 2009 May 23.

Abstract

When subjects viewed straight and turned eyes that were isolated singly or in pairs from a head that was straight or turned, they underestimated their true direction of gaze. They also underestimated the direction of head turn when both eyes were closed. However, the judged direction of gaze was improved when the eyes were layered against the heads. Judged direction of averted gaze was primarily based on the abducting eye. The effect that the deviation between an eye's optical axis and its true direction of gaze (angle kappa) has on its judged direction of gaze is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention*
  • Cues*
  • Eye Movements
  • Female
  • Head Movements*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological*
  • Optical Illusions*
  • Psychophysics
  • Visual Perception / physiology*
  • Young Adult