In their seminal 1995 paper published in Perception, von Grünau and Anston demonstrated that staring eyes (straight gaze with iris and pupil in center position in eye socket) are detected faster than eyes gazing to the right or left (averted gaze with iris and pupil in right-most or left-most position in eye socket). Eye targets with a straight gaze, when presented in an array of averted gaze nontargets, are detected faster with fewer errors than an averted gaze targets presented in an array of straight gaze targets. This search asymmetry, in which straight gaze targets are given preference in  array of averted gaze distractors, is found for both realistically drawn and schematic eye stimuli but not for other arrayed objects. Search asymmetry is not seen with geometric stimuli—for instance 1 x 3 rows of black and white squares—that vary in the position of the distinguishing feature, or stimuli consisting of only one schematic eye. This effect, which has subsequently been replicated in many different search paradigms, is understood in terms of the evolutionary significance of what is considered to be one of the most critical sociocognitive abilities of humans and other primates: gaze perception. Gaze perception can manifest itself in two ways depending on context, social group or species. Mutual gaze or eye contact in humans, and some other primates, in one context can serve to bond individuals and regulate social interactions through the transmission of expressions of intimacy and filial identity (Kleinke 1986). But, in another context, a sustained stare may be interpreted as a sign of hostility or anger—a cue for increased vigilance or aversive action (Ellsworth and Carlsmith 1973). Staring is a threat gesture in many primate societies (Hinde and Rowell 1962) and makes most people feel nervous and tense (Strom and Beck 1979). Regardless of how it is perceived and subsequently processed cognitively, a directed gaze is a powerful cue for potential synergistic or antagonistic interactions.
Description In their 1995 paper published in Perception, von Grünau and Anston demonstrated that staring eyes (straight gaze with iris and pupil in center position in eye socket) are detected faster than eyes gazing to the right or left (averted gaze with iris and pupil in right-most or left-most position in eye socket). Eye targets with a straight gaze, when presented in an array of averted gaze nontargets, are detected faster with fewer errors than an averted gaze targets presented in an array of straight gaze targets. This search asymmetry, in which straight gaze targets are given preference in an array of averted gaze distractors, is found for both realistically drawn and schematic eye stimuli but not for other arrayed objects. Search asymmetry is not seen with geometric stimuli—for instance 1 x 3 rows of black and white squares—that vary in the position of the distinguishing feature, or stimuli consisting of only one schematic eye. This effect, which has subsequently been replicated in many different search paradigms, is understood in terms of the evolutionary significance of what is considered to be one of the most critical sociocognitive abilities of humans and other primates: gaze perception. Gaze perception can manifest itself in two ways depending on context, social group or species. Mutual gaze or eye contact in humans, and some other primates, in one context can serve to bond individuals and regulate social interactions through the transmission of expressions of intimacy and filial identity (Kleinke 1986). But, in another context, a sustained stare may be interpreted as a sign of hostility or anger—a cue for increased vigilance or aversive action (Ellsworth and Carlsmith 1973). Staring is a threat gesture in many primate societies (Hinde and Rowell 1962) and makes most people feel nervous and tense (Strom and Beck 1979). Regardless of how it is perceived and subsequently processed cognitively, a directed gaze is a powerful cue for potential synergistic or antagonistic interactions.
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