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.