Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
publishedVersion
Publication Date
4-2016
Abstract
Research from evolutionary psychology suggests that the mere presence of eye images can promote prosocial behavior. However, the "eye images effect'' is a source of considerable debate, and findings across studies have yielded somewhat inconsistent support. We suggest that one critical factor may be whether the eyes really need to be watching to effectively enhance prosocial behavior. In three experiments, we investigated the impact of eye images on prosocial behavior, assessed in a laboratory setting. Participants were randomly assigned to view an image of watching eyes (eyes with direct gaze), an image of nonwatching eyes (i.e., eyes closed for Study 1 and averted eyes for Studies 2 and 3), or an image of flowers (control condition). Upon exposure to the stimuli, participants decided whether or not to help another participant by completing a dull cognitive task. Three independent studies produced somewhat mixed results. However, combined analysis of all three studies, with a total of 612 participants, showed that the watching component of the eyes is important for decision-making in this context. Images of watching eyes led to significantly greater inclination to offer help as compared to images of nonwatching eyes (i.e., eyes closed and averted eyes) or images of flowers. These findings suggest that eyes gazing at an individual, rather than any proxy to social presence (e.g., just the eyes), serve as a reminder of reputation. Taken together, we conclude that it is "eyes that pay attention'' that can lift the veil of anonymity and potentially facilitate prosocial behavior.
Keywords
eye images effect, prosocial behavior, social gaze, reputation, social attention
Discipline
Applied Behavior Analysis | Social Psychology
Research Areas
Psychology
Publication
Evolutionary Psychology
Volume
14
Issue
2
First Page
1
Last Page
15
ISSN
1474-7049
Identifier
10.1177/1474704916640780
Publisher
SAGE Publications (UK and US): Open Access Titles / SAGE Publishing
Citation
MANESI, Zoi, Van Lange, Paul A. M., & Pollet, Thomas V..(2016). Eyes wide open: Only eyes that pay attention promote prosocial behavior. Evolutionary Psychology, 14(2), 1-15.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/3082
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1177/1474704916640780