Eye Tracking and Speed Dating: Love At First Glance

Every now and again, we here at Eye Tracking Update come across a funny article that describes eye tracking in a more humorous light. With so many studies being done, it’s not surprising that some are more entertaining than others, and it’s always fun to see eye tracking and head tracking technology used more creatively, as opposed to, say, the typical studies focusing on web and design usability or driver safety, to name a few. As we know, science is ultimately an experimental process and helps us to discover new things about the way we interact as humans.

One example that comes to mind has to do with a recent study that used eye tracking during a speed dating session. Think Eyetracking performed the study for a publication, and subjects wore a head mounted eye tracker while interacting with speed date partners. With head mounted eye trackers many times used to help brand development and marketing agencies understand consumer behavior, it’s refreshing to see the technology applied to, as the article puts it, the “most important “purchase” decision” made.

The subject, Josh, wore the eye tracker while on dates with four different women, Saskia, a student; Jessica, also a student; Claire, a trainee doctor; and ultimately Esther, another student. The original post is basically a series of still photographs with a green crosshairs that display Josh’s point of focus. In the first image, Josh is out with Saskia; she’s smiling, and looks like she’s having a good time, but immediately Josh’s eyes move towards a slender blonde sitting at a table behind Saskia. Over the next few frames, Josh’s eyes dart back and forth from making eye contact with Saskia but always returning to the girl behind her. Not after long, the other girl begins to check out Josh too, and Saskia, of course, begins to notice. Judging from the photos, the date seems to end with Josh staring once again right past Saskia and actually focusing on the legs of the girl in back. Not the best of dates, right?

The next date with Jessica gets off to a better start, with Josh focusing on her frequently flashed, broad smile. But, what do you know, after a few frames focusing on Jessica’s smile and face, it’s not long before Josh once again notices another girl sitting in the background, and his eyes spend the rest of the date checking out the girl and her date, also seated at a table in the back.

The third date is pretty funny, as it starts off the same way – Josh already glancing (or perhaps staring!) at a girl in the background while his date repeatedly vies for his attention. Ultimately, she has to actually tell him to pay attention as she points to herself. This works for a bit, and Josh maintains pretty solid eye contact, but soon enough… you guessed it. Josh’s eyes are back to drifting to other girls in the background.

The final date shows that Josh has perhaps met his match, actually the girl he was sneaking peeks at behind Saskia during the first date. The blonde, Esther, is closer in proximity to Josh, flashing smiles frequently and maintaining his undivided attention throughout the remainder of the date. Looks like a match!

While somewhat humorous, the post shows that eye tracking, when used creatively in such settings, can allow us to peer into the subconscious (and in some cases, the more obvious) process of attraction, providing quantitative insight that may not be achieved so articulately through other means. On a date, there’s a lot of picking and choosing, weighing options and possibilities, and generally following your tastes. Perhaps shopping for a product in a supermarket isn’t too far off from shopping for love in a bar.

Eye (Tracking) For The Ladies – The Subconscious Secrets of a Speed Dater

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