title: Looking at eye gaze processing and its neural correlates in infancy-implications for social development and autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: The importance of eye gaze as a means of communication is indisputable. However, there is debate about whether there is a dedicated neural module, which functions as an eye gaze detector and when infants are able to use eye gaze cues in a referential way. The application of neuroscience methodologies to developmental psychology has provided new insights into early social cognitive development. This review integrates findings on the development of eye gaze processing with research on the neural mechanisms underlying infant and adult social cognition. This research shows how a cognitive neuroscience approach can improve our understanding of social development and autism spectrum disorder.
authors.affiliation: Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany. stefanie.hoehl@psychologie.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoehl
authors.forename: Vincent M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Parise
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Handl
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.forename: Tricia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Striano
mesh_terms: D000679:Amygdala / Q000502:physiology; D001288:Attention; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D003463:Cues; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D017603:Signal Detection, Psychological; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception; D014796:Visual Perception