Effects of Eye Position on Person Perception

Abstract

Stimulus photographs were prepared of models in 3 conditions, looking straight into the camera, looking downward, and looking sideways. Photographs were shown to 48 Ss who were told to assume they were interviewing the models for jobs. Ss rated models on 15 semantic differential scales and a salary scale, and answered some other brief questions. Eye position influenced response to models. Significant differences were found for 11 of 16 scales in comparisons of straight and downward gazes and for 2 of 16 scales in comparisons of straight and sideways gazes.