Mutual eye contact and blink synchronization as predictors for successful cooperation

• Applicant: Dr. Alexandra Hoffmann
• Subject Area: General, Cognitive and Mathematical Psychology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 563079426

The planned project investigates the role of mutual eye-contact and blink synchronization in fostering interpersonal trust, cooperation, and problem-solving ability. Building on the Priority Program “Understanding Gaze (UGaze),” this research aligns with Topic (II) Gaze Sharing, exploring how gaze dynamics influence behavioral outcomes in social and collaborative settings. Leveraging dual mobile eye-tracking technology, we aim to capture real-time gaze interactions and their impact on trust and decision-making in an economic trust game, as well as problem-solving efficacy in the hidden profile paradigm. In the first study, we examine the effects of mutual eye-contact and blink synchronization on interpersonal trust and cooperative behavior during face-to-face economic trust games. Research questions focus on the extent to which gaze dynamics influence trust-building and the relationship between eye-contact and blink synchronization. The second study extends this exploration to collaborative problem-solving scenarios, investigating how shared attention, mediated by eye-contact and blink synchronization, contributes to problem-solving performance. We further examine the interplay between shared information and gaze synchronization, hypothesizing that higher synchronization enhances collective cognitive processes. This project bridges key gaps in understanding gaze as a dual-function tool—both perceptual and social—providing insights into the mechanisms of synchronization in cooperative and problem-solving contexts. By advancing methodologies with dual mobile eye-tracking, our findings will offer theoretical and practical implications for enhancing collaboration in educational, organizational, and technological environments.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 2481: Understanding Gaze
• International Connection: Austria, Italy
• Cooperation Partner: Dr. Thomas Maran