Social and non-social directional cues differentially orient attention by learned habit
Authors: Salera, C., Yankouskaya, A., Petrucci, M. and Pecchinenda, A.
Journal: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
Volume: 19
eISSN: 1662-5161
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2025.1636726
Abstract:Introduction: Since an early age, we are implicitly motivated to use the direction of eye gaze of others to learn about the environment, and we orient our attention in space based on this directional signal. Similarly, we orient our attention based on the direction of arrow signs. In both cases, the mechanisms underlying attentional orienting rely on the activity of brain areas involved in endogenous attention; however, orienting by gaze direction also relies on brain areas involved in exogenous attention. Research questions: To date, it remains unclear whether the acquisition of attentional habit, which can also guide attention in ways that are not purely endogenous or exogenous, is similar for gaze and arrow or rather differs in some important way. We aimed to assess whether learning implicit regularities implemented with exogenous, arrow, and gaze stimuli guides attention in space. Methods: Using the Posner paradigm, we conducted a series of behavioral experiments with exogenous, arrow, and gaze cues. Unbeknownst to participants, specific regularities, namely cue predictive validity and probability cueing, were implemented through blocks (baseline, learning, testing). Results and discussion: The findings showed that predictive validity alone is not sufficient to engender habitual attention for all types of cues. However, it becomes effective when combined with probability cueing. Importantly, a learned habit with gaze cues engenders unique effects on attention compared to other cues. Conclusion: Socially relevant directional signals, such as gaze, can bias spatial attention more effectively than perceptual or non-social directional stimuli.
Source: Scopus
Social and non-social directional cues differentially orient attention by learned habit.
Authors: Salera, C., Yankouskaya, A., Petrucci, M. and Pecchinenda, A.
Journal: Front Hum Neurosci
Volume: 19
Pages: 1636726
ISSN: 1662-5161
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2025.1636726
Abstract:INTRODUCTION: Since an early age, we are implicitly motivated to use the direction of eye gaze of others to learn about the environment, and we orient our attention in space based on this directional signal. Similarly, we orient our attention based on the direction of arrow signs. In both cases, the mechanisms underlying attentional orienting rely on the activity of brain areas involved in endogenous attention; however, orienting by gaze direction also relies on brain areas involved in exogenous attention. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: To date, it remains unclear whether the acquisition of attentional habit, which can also guide attention in ways that are not purely endogenous or exogenous, is similar for gaze and arrow or rather differs in some important way. We aimed to assess whether learning implicit regularities implemented with exogenous, arrow, and gaze stimuli guides attention in space. METHODS: Using the Posner paradigm, we conducted a series of behavioral experiments with exogenous, arrow, and gaze cues. Unbeknownst to participants, specific regularities, namely cue predictive validity and probability cueing, were implemented through blocks (baseline, learning, testing). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The findings showed that predictive validity alone is not sufficient to engender habitual attention for all types of cues. However, it becomes effective when combined with probability cueing. Importantly, a learned habit with gaze cues engenders unique effects on attention compared to other cues. CONCLUSION: Socially relevant directional signals, such as gaze, can bias spatial attention more effectively than perceptual or non-social directional stimuli.
Source: PubMed
Social and non-social directional cues differentially orient attention by learned habit
Authors: Salera, C., Yankouskaya, A., Petrucci, M. and Pecchinenda, A.
Journal: FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE
Volume: 19
ISSN: 1662-5161
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2025.1636726
Source: Web of Science (Lite)
Social and non-social directional cues differentially orient attention by learned habit.
Authors: Salera, C., Yankouskaya, A., Petrucci, M. and Pecchinenda, A.
Journal: Frontiers in human neuroscience
Volume: 19
Pages: 1636726
eISSN: 1662-5161
ISSN: 1662-5161
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2025.1636726
Abstract:Introduction
Since an early age, we are implicitly motivated to use the direction of eye gaze of others to learn about the environment, and we orient our attention in space based on this directional signal. Similarly, we orient our attention based on the direction of arrow signs. In both cases, the mechanisms underlying attentional orienting rely on the activity of brain areas involved in endogenous attention; however, orienting by gaze direction also relies on brain areas involved in exogenous attention.Research questions
To date, it remains unclear whether the acquisition of attentional habit, which can also guide attention in ways that are not purely endogenous or exogenous, is similar for gaze and arrow or rather differs in some important way. We aimed to assess whether learning implicit regularities implemented with exogenous, arrow, and gaze stimuli guides attention in space.Methods
Using the Posner paradigm, we conducted a series of behavioral experiments with exogenous, arrow, and gaze cues. Unbeknownst to participants, specific regularities, namely cue predictive validity and probability cueing, were implemented through blocks (baseline, learning, testing).Results and discussion
The findings showed that predictive validity alone is not sufficient to engender habitual attention for all types of cues. However, it becomes effective when combined with probability cueing. Importantly, a learned habit with gaze cues engenders unique effects on attention compared to other cues.Conclusion
Socially relevant directional signals, such as gaze, can bias spatial attention more effectively than perceptual or non-social directional stimuli.Source: Europe PubMed Central