Abstract

This study was conducted to confirm the factors that influence Social Binding Perception. This phenomenon was shown through comparative visual search tasks that included stimuli with two faces that were facing and not facing each other. Experiment 1 is based on Vestner et al. (2020), as a control for later experiments. Experiment 2 uses stimuli with covered facial attributes through face masks and sunglasses. In experiment 3, stimuli included a screen between faces to block vision between the facial stimuli. Experiment 1 confirms that visual search is faster in searching for facing than non-facing stimuli. Experiment 2 confirmed the effect of facial coverings, decreasing reaction time in subjects. Experiment 3 was conducted to determine whether social binding is dependent on the visual presence of eyes, or whether visual exchange of gaze between faces is needed. Experiment 3 included conditions with a screen blocking either the eyes or mouths between the faces. The results showed that even though participants could see the eyes of the stimuli, reaction time slowed when the screen blocked the gaze. However, the reaction time was faster than when the eyes were covered with sunglasses in experiment 2. This study shows that the presence of eyes and exchange of gaze between faces independently affect social binding perception.