The primary goal of the proposed research is to examine the effect that perceived eye gaze direction has on the processing of facial affect. Previous research efforts examining gaze and facial affect perception have been conducted independently. However, there is good reason believe that these cues share an underlying signal value of either approach or avoidance. Specifically, it is hypothesized that direct eye gaze will facilitate the perception and detection of facially communicated anger, whereas averted eye gaze will facilitate the perception and detection of facially communicated fear. Four phases of research are proposed. Using reaction time and memory paradigms, Phase 1 investigates the notion that direct and averted eye gaze facilitate or inhibit the processing of anger and fear expressions. Phase 2 utilizes a visual search paradigm to explore the possibility that the combined processing of these cues is innately prepared. Phase 3, investigates the role of the amygdala in processing facially communicated anger and fear combined with direct versus averted eye gaze. Finally, Phase 4 extends a pre-existing literature on joint attention by addressing the role of facial affect. Broadly, this research will 1) help resolve longstanding controversies in the field of facial affect perception, 2) tie together two seemingly disparate lines of research (visually mediated attention and facial affect), and 3) help theorists better understand psychopathological disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, and localized brain lesions such as amygdalotomy that are marked by problems in the processing of nonverbal facial cues.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
7F32MH067294-03
Application #
6837854
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-RPHB-4 (01))
Program Officer
Desmond, Nancy L
Project Start
2002-09-27
Project End
2005-09-26
Budget Start
2004-01-01
Budget End
2004-09-26
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$31,624
Indirect Cost
Name
Tufts University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
073134835
City
Medford
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02155
Adams Jr, Reginald B; Franklin Jr, Robert G; Nelson, Anthony J et al. (2011) Differentially tuned responses to restricted versus prolonged awareness of threat: a preliminary fMRI investigation. Brain Cogn 77:113-9
Adams Jr, Reginald B; Kleck, Robert E (2005) Effects of direct and averted gaze on the perception of facially communicated emotion. Emotion 5:3-11
Adams Jr, Reginald B; Gordon, Heather L; Baird, Abigail A et al. (2003) Effects of gaze on amygdala sensitivity to anger and fear faces. Science 300:1536