Prior contextual information and autistic traits influence eye gaze behaviour and emotional valence ratings for facial expressions.

ABSTRACT: This study examined the influence of social top-down information on eye-gaze behaviour and valence perception in individuals with higher and lower autistic traits. Data from 57 participants (37 identified as female, 18 as male, 2 as non-binary; M = 21.33 years, SD = 4.35) were analysed. Participants rated the valence of facial expressions depicting different intensities of emotions across three contexts while an eye-tracker recorded their gaze behaviour. In the no-context condition, participants observed neutral, joyful and angry faces without any background context; in the positive-context, they viewed neutral and joyful faces while imagining a dream-job offer scenario; and in the negative-context, they viewed neutral and angry faces while imagining a dream-job rejection scenario. Key fin

SUBMITTER: Karakale O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12307757 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature