The present work investigates pupillary reactions induced by exposure to faces with different levels of trustworthiness. Participants' (N = 69) pupillary changes were recorded while they viewed... Show moreThe present work investigates pupillary reactions induced by exposure to faces with different levels of trustworthiness. Participants' (N = 69) pupillary changes were recorded while they viewed white male faces with a neutral expression varying on facial trustworthiness. Results suggest that reward processing and pupil mimicry are relevant mechanisms driving participants' pupil reactions. However, when including both factors in one statistical model, pupil mimicry seems to be a stronger predictor than reward processing of participants' pupil dilation. Results are discussed in light of pupillometry evidence. Show less
During social interactions, people look into each other’s eyes to grasp emotional signals. Accordingly, prior research has shown that the eyes reveal social messages that influence interpersonal... Show moreDuring social interactions, people look into each other’s eyes to grasp emotional signals. Accordingly, prior research has shown that the eyes reveal social messages that influence interpersonal communication. Here, we tested whether variations in a subtle eye signal – pupil size – influence people’s conforming behavior. Participants performed an estimation task in light of the estimation provided by another individual whose pupil size had been manipulated. The distance between the two estimations was taken as an index of spontaneous conformity. Results revealed that participants conformed more strongly toward individuals with large pupils than toward individuals with small or medium pupils. These findings suggest that pupil size is a source of social influence that impacts upon spontaneous interpersonal conducts. Show less
The eyes reveal important social messages, such as emotions and whether a person is aroused and interested or bored and fatigued. A growing body of research has also shown that individuals with... Show moreThe eyes reveal important social messages, such as emotions and whether a person is aroused and interested or bored and fatigued. A growing body of research has also shown that individuals with large pupils are generally evaluated positively by observers, while those with small pupils are perceived negatively. Here, we examined whether observed pupil size influences approach-avoidance tendencies. Participants performed an Approach-Avoidance Task using faces with large and small pupil sizes. Results showed that pupil size influences the accuracy of arm movements. Specifically, individuals were less prone to approach a face with small pupils than a face with large pupils. Conversely, participants were less prone to avoid a face with large pupils than a face with small pupils. Collectively, these findings suggest that perceivers attend to a facial cue – pupil size – when interacting with others. Show less
