How face-like objects and averted gaze faces orient our attention: The role of global configuration and local features

In real life, people perceive nonexistent faces from face-like objects, called face pareidolia. Face-like objects, similar to averted gazes, can direct the observer's attention. However, the similarities and differences in attentional shifts induced by these two types of stimuli remain underexplored. Through a gaze cueing task, this study compares the cueing effects of face-like objects and averted gaze faces, revealing both commonalities and distinct underlying mechanisms. Our findings demonstrate that while both types of stimuli can elicit attentional shifts, the mechanisms differ: averted gaze faces rely on processing local features like gaze direction, whereas face-like objects leverage their global configuration to enhance attentional shifts by triggered eye-like features. These findings advance the understanding of the processing mechanisms underlying the perception of face-like objects, and how the brain represents facial attributes even when physical facial stimuli are absent. This study provides a valuable theoretical foundation for future investigations into the broader applications of face-like stimuli in human perception and attention.