Eye Movements as a Paradigm of Approach and Avoidance Behavior

Abstract

Eye movements were recorded while Ss looked at items consisting of four horizontally arranged pictures. The pictures were small line-drawings of ordinary objects and scenes. Three of the pictures were affectively neutral, while the picture on either the right or left end was presumed to be affectively important. It was anticipated that the gradients of time-spent-looking would approximate Miller's approach and avoidance gradients. In three exploratory sub-studies, the results were interpreted as confirmatory.