Non-linear modeling of eye gaze perception as a function of gaze and head direction

In this paper, we further the characterization of a fundamental limit of human perception: the accuracy of human estimation of others’ eye gaze directions. In particular, we introduce a non-linear model that describes how both the head direction and the gaze direction of a looker relative to an observer jointly affect the observer’s perception of the looker’s gaze direction. Ours is the first to explain in a single model the biases introduced by the looker’s head direction, the relative accuracy of eye contact detection, and the relative accuracy of estimating gaze direction when the looker’s head and gaze directions are aligned. We put our results into context with other perception studies.