Neurophysiological Dynamics of Gaze Perception: an EEG and Eye Tracking Study on Eye Contact and Social Attention

Diplôme Master Neurophysiological Dynamics of Gaze Perception: an EEG and Eye Tracking Study on Eye Contact and Social Attention eng 2026-06-09 author Pinède Antoine Louis 0009-0001-7888-7401 856153 Antoine Pinède director Burra Nicolas 0000-0002-7693-768X 596277 Section de psychologie (PSICO) 53 <p>The ability to detect and respond to eye contact is crucial for social cognition. The Fast-Track Modulator Model suggests that direct gaze is prioritised through a rapid subcortical pathway influencing social brain networks, yet behavioural and electrophysiological findings remain inconsistent, particularly regarding task demands. This study examined whether direct gaze facilitates rapid orienting and face-sensitive brain activity, whether social task framing produces an overall facilitation of these measures, and whether social framing amplifies the direct-gaze advantage. After exclusions, 37 participants (M age = 22.5) completed a rapid orienting gap task under social and non-social instructions while EEG and eye-tracking were co-registered. Participants made saccades toward peripheral faces showing apparent gaze shifts (direct VS averted). Analyses focused on saccadic latency and saccade-related N170 amplitudes. Direct gaze elicited faster saccades and stronger SRP/N170 than averted gaze, the main effect of social framing was associated with faster responses. The Gaze X Framing interaction did not significantly improve the model in the current sample.</p> Dewey 150 Maitrise universitaire en psychologie 108 Section de psychologie 71 false 1421 Laboratoire de cognition sociale expérimentale (ESCLab) 78f57a47-5f7e-429c-9607-f2f0a904c161 Master thesis Private Pinede_MScPsy_Thesis.pdf 1186950 application/pdf f7dcda9e2401ff9fe7d4d8298b0849ce7a77969e568be5b5becaf6ba0afe15cd closedAccess Faculté de psychologie et des sciences de l'éducation / Section de psychologie

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Neurophysiological Dynamics of Gaze Perception: an EEG and Eye Tracking Study on Eye Contact and Social Attention				2026	7	0

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