How the gaze of others influences object processing.
An aspect of gaze processing, which so far has been given little attention, is the influence that intentional gaze processing can have on object processing. Converging evidence from behavioural neuroscience and developmental psychology strongly suggests that objects falling under the gaze of others acquire properties that they would not display if not looked at. Specifically, observing another person gazing at an object enriches that object of motor, affective and status properties that go beyond its chemical or physical structure. A conceptual analysis of available evidence leads to the conclusion that gaze has the potency to transfer to the object the intentionality of the person looking at it.
Centro di Scienza Cognitiva, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università di Torino, Via Po 14, Torino, Italy.
Cristina
C
Becchio
Cesare
C
Bertone
Umberto
U
Castiello
D001288:Attention; D005133:Eye Movements; D005403:Fixation, Ocular; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D012938:Social Perception; D014796:Visual Perception