Neurophysiological Dynamics of Gaze Perception: an EEG and Eye Tracking Study on Eye Contact and Social Attention
Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The ability to detect and respond to eye contact is crucial for social cognition. The Fast-Track Modulator Model suggests that direct gaze is prioritised through a rapid subcortical pathway influencing social brain networks, yet behavioural and electrophysiological findings remain inconsistent, particularly regarding task demands. This study examined whether direct gaze facilitates rapid orienting and face-sensitive brain activity, whether social task framing produces an overall facilitation of these measures, and whether social framing amplifies the direct-gaze advantage. After exclusions, 37 participants (M age = 22.5) completed a rapid orienting gap task under social and non-social instructions while EEG and eye-tracking were co-registered. Participants made saccades toward peripheral faces showing apparent gaze shifts (direct VS averted). Analyses focused on saccadic latency and saccade-related N170 amplitudes. Direct gaze elicited faster saccades and stronger SRP/N170 than averted gaze, the main effect of social framing was associated with faster responses. The Gaze X Framing interaction did not significantly improve the model in the current sample.
Author: Pinède, Antoine Louis
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7170230156