The eyes reveal important social messages, such as emotions and whether a person is aroused and interested or bored and fatigued. A growing body of research has also shown that individuals with large pupils are generally evaluated positively by observers, while those with small pupils are perceived negatively. Here, we examined whether observed pupil size influences approach-avoidance tendencies. Participants performed an Approach-Avoidance Task using faces with large and small pupil sizes. Results showed that pupil size influences the accuracy of arm movements. Specifically, individuals were less prone to approach a face with small pupils than a face with large pupils. Conversely, participants were less prone to avoid a face with large pupils than a face with small pupils. Collectively, these findings suggest that perceivers attend to a facial cue–pupil size–when interacting with others.

Brambilla, M., Biella, M., Kret, M. (2019). Looking into your eyes: observed pupil size influences approach-avoidance responses. COGNITION & EMOTION, 33(3), 616-622 [10.1080/02699931.2018.1472554].

Looking into your eyes: observed pupil size influences approach-avoidance responses

Brambilla, M
;
Biella, M;
2019

Abstract

The eyes reveal important social messages, such as emotions and whether a person is aroused and interested or bored and fatigued. A growing body of research has also shown that individuals with large pupils are generally evaluated positively by observers, while those with small pupils are perceived negatively. Here, we examined whether observed pupil size influences approach-avoidance tendencies. Participants performed an Approach-Avoidance Task using faces with large and small pupil sizes. Results showed that pupil size influences the accuracy of arm movements. Specifically, individuals were less prone to approach a face with small pupils than a face with large pupils. Conversely, participants were less prone to avoid a face with large pupils than a face with small pupils. Collectively, these findings suggest that perceivers attend to a facial cue–pupil size–when interacting with others.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Pupil Size; Approach; Avoidance; Social Cognition; Eye Signals
English
2019
33
3
616
622
reserved
Brambilla, M., Biella, M., Kret, M. (2019). Looking into your eyes: observed pupil size influences approach-avoidance responses. COGNITION & EMOTION, 33(3), 616-622 [10.1080/02699931.2018.1472554].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/196584
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