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Brief Communications
Nature 413, 589 (11 October 2001) | doi:10.1038/35098149
Psychology: Reward value of attractiveness and gaze
Knut K. W. Kampe1, Chris D. Frith2, Raymond J. Dolan2 & Uta Frith1
Abstract
Making eye contact enhances the appeal of a pleasing face, irrespective of gender.
Abstract
Faces are visual objects in our environment that provide strong social cues1, with the eyes assuming particular importance2, 3. Here we show that the perceived attractiveness of an unfamiliar face increases brain activity in the ventral striatum of the viewer when meeting the person's eye, and decreases activity when eye gaze is directed away. Depending on the direction of gaze, attractiveness can thus activate dopaminergic regions that are strongly linked to reward prediction4, indicating that central reward systems may be engaged during the initiation of social interactions.
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