For your eyes only: quick and long gaze differently affect action

Previous studies demonstrate that observing manual interactions with objects does not prevent programming actions with those same objects. However, little is known about how likely we are to use objects attended to by another person's gaze. Across two gaze-cueing experiments, we examined how another person's gaze toward an object influences the observer's action possibilities. In Experiment 1, we tested whether a gaze spatially congruent with the object's manipulable component facilitate or prevent motor programs, using a medium temporal interval typically associated with gaze-cueing effects. Experiment 2 added several temporal intervals of gaze cue exposure to further test the temporal dynamics of gaze impact on action. Results from Experiment 1 demonstrate that a gaze shown for a medium temporal interval neither prompt nor prevent actions on objects. Experiment 2 corroborates this finding and reveals an intriguing temporal dissociation: objects following very briefly presented gaze seem to be perceived as more prone to be acted upon, suggesting that short-duration gaze acts as a form of "imperative gaze," highlighting potential targets for action. This temporal dissociation in the effect of social attention on object perception suggests a sophisticated mechanism by which the human cognitive system integrates social cues into action planning.