Face-like cues direct attention more narrowly than arrows.

Abstract

Previous research has found that eye-gaze directs attention in a location-based manner. In contrast, arrows direct attention in an object-based manner. In the current set of experiments, we attempted to extend this basic finding in two ways. In Experiment 1, we tested whether these effects would be replicated using real-world stimuli. In Experiment 2, we tested whether the eye-gaze of a robot would direct attention in a location-based manner (like eye-gaze) or object-based manner (like arrows). Across two experiments, we replicated previous work that found eye-gaze directs attention in a location-based manner and extend this finding to the eye-gaze of a robot. However, our pattern of results for arrow cues was more complex. It appears that arrows prioritize specific locations (similar to eye-gaze) but in contrast to eye-gaze, this priority spreads to the rest of the cued object. These findings are important for understanding the role of social factors in the mechanisms underlying the gaze-cueing effect and have implications for how human-robot interactions should be designed.