The effects of speed change and randomness in object movements on active eye-tracking and preference formation

Abstract

This study examines whether complexity and animacy of object movements induce increased gaze durations for the object and enhanced preference. We examine the effects of manipulating change frequency(1, 3, and 7 times)and change timing(constant and random)for object directions in Experiment 1A and speed changes(acceleration, deceleration, and mixed)for object movements in Experiment 1B. We also measure participant eye movements using an eye-tracker. In both Experiment 1 and Experiment 2A, the participants were allowed to freely move their eyes during stimulus presentation, but in Experiment 2B(control experiment), they were required to closely observe a fixation point. The participants were required to judge the movement of a black-bordered circle, presented for 8 seconds, in terms of its complexity, animacy, impression, interest, amusement, and preference. The results suggest that complexity and animacy of object movements increased participants' preferences for the object and evoked more active gazing. It was also found that the participants constantly tracked object movements throughout a trial and that there were differences in tracking strategies and in the number of gaze stagnations depending on acceleration of the movements.View full abstract