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The Role of the Eyes in the Uncanny Valley Effect : Does Incongruence between Eyes and Face Influence Uncanniness?

Dollée, Isa (2022) The Role of the Eyes in the Uncanny Valley Effect : Does Incongruence between Eyes and Face Influence Uncanniness?

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Abstract:This aim of this study is to investigate the impact of the eyes and their human likeness in relation to the human likeness of the overall face structure on the uncanny valley effect. The uncanny valley effect describes the relationship between the human likeness and likeability of entities. Generally, entities are seen as more likeable as they resemble humans more closely until a certain point of moderate-to-high human likeness, at which the emotional response rapidly becomes negative. Entities that cross this point and are seen as extremely human-like are again rated favorably. This pattern has been replicated using biological primate faces and has been shown to occur universally in all humans, suggesting an evolutionary origin. Previous research and informal observations indicate that the sclera color may influence this effect and that incongruence between human and non-human features on a face may cause it. Thus, an eye-tracking study about encounters between 30 participants and 8 primate face stimuli which vary in human likeness and are manipulated to have either white or dark sclerae was conducted. Findings support the hypothesis that incongruence causes an uncanny valley response. Further, differential effects for two types of incongruence were identified. Specifically, faces with human skulls and dark, ape-like sclerae were rated as uncannier than vice versa and had stronger effect on eye movement variables, including reduced restlessness in visual exploration and a tendency of participants to look away.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/91623
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