How face-like objects and averted gaze faces orient our attention: The role of global configuration and local features.

ABSTRACT: In real life, people perceive nonexistent faces from face-like objects, called face pareidolia. Face-like objects, similar to averted gazes, can direct the observer's attention. However, the similarities and differences in attentional shifts induced by these two types of stimuli remain underexplored. Through a gaze cueing task, this study compares the cueing effects of face-like objects and averted gaze faces, revealing both commonalities and distinct underlying mechanisms. Our findings demonstrate that while both types of stimuli can elicit attentional shifts, the mechanisms differ: averted gaze faces rely on processing local features like gaze direction, whereas face-like objects leverage their global configuration to enhance attentional shifts by triggered eye-like features. These findi

SUBMITTER: Chen Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12350056 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature