Deployment of attention to facial expressions varies as a function of emotional quality —but not in alexithymic individuals

DiscussionOur results show evidence of attentional biases for positive and fearful social information in non-alexithymic individuals, but not in alexithymic individuals. The lack of spontaneous attentional preference for these social stimuli in alexithymia might contribute to a vulnerability for developing emotional disorders. Our data also suggest that briefly presented emotion words may not facilitate gaze orientation toward emotion-congruent stimuli.
Source: Frontiers in Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research