Video-Based Eye Tracking in Sex Research: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Although eye tracking has been used for decades, it has gained popularity in the area of sex research only recently. The aim of this article is to examine the potential merits of eye tracking for this field. We present a systematic review of the current use of video-based eye-tracking technology in this area, evaluate the findings, and identify future research opportunities. A total of 34 relevant studies published between 2006 and 2014 were identified for inclusion by means of online databases and other methods. We grouped them into three main areas of research: body perception and attractiveness, forensic research, and sexual orientation. Despite the methodological and theoretical differences across the studies, eye tracking has been shown to be a promising tool for sex research. The article suggests there is much potential for further studies to employ this technique because it is noninvasive and yet still allows for the assessment of both conscious and unconscious perceptional processes. Furthermore, eye tracking can be implemented in investigations of various theoretical backgrounds, ranging from biology to the social sciences.

Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beer Holder: An Initial Investigation of the Effects of Alcohol, Attractiveness, Warmth, and Competence on the Objectifying Gaze in Men

“…Tassinary and Hansen 1998), rather than less provocative cues like their faces. Consistent with this idea, when presented with scantily clad and nude women, men bias their fixations away from faces, focusing more on bodies (Lykins et al 2008;Nummenmaa et al 2012;Wenzlaff et al 2015). The present work builds on this prior work by examining the role of alcohol intoxication in predicting objectifying gazes toward provocatively dressed women.…”

What Does Your Gaze Reveal About You? On the Privacy Implications of Eye Tracking

“…During a fixation, the eyes are relatively stable and focused on a specific position, allowing for information to be acquired and processed. Saccades are rapid eye movements from one fixation point to another, lasting 30 to 80 ms [87]. Smooth pursuit movements are performed when eyes are closely following a moving visual target.…”

“…Besides the Big Five traits and curiosity, gaze metrics were found to be associated with various other personality traits, including emotional intelligence [54], indecisiveness [36], the tendency to ruminate [21], trait anxiety [42], sexual compulsivity [87], boredom susceptibility [70], and general aggressiveness [6]. Eye tracking has even been used to investigate people's attachment styles in interpersonal relationships (e.g., secure, withdrawn, fearful, enmeshed) [81].…”

“…As with age, a person's gender can be reflected in certain eye tracking measures. For instance, studies found systematic gender differences in people's fixation distribution while viewing natural images (e.g., stills from romance films or wildlife documentaries) [68], during online shopping [38], when playing video games [42], and when viewing sexual stimuli [87]. Researchers have already used such differences in visual behavior to automatically classify the sex of test subjects [68].…”

Are There Any Biomarkers for Pedophilia and Sexual Child Abuse? A Review

“…This limitation of acuity of the human visual system makes it possible to identify the features most interesting to the viewing subject by eye movements (113). Using eye movements, several variables can be measured, such as saccades, fixations, or pupil size [for review see: (114)]. Renaud et al were the first to demonstrate the potential of eye tracking (and virtual-reality technology) in the assessment of deviant sexual preferences.…”