This research investigated the characteristics of gaze in the listening and talking phases of social interactions, for 35 psychotics compared to 35 non-clinical subjects. Two judges observed them interacting with trained partners in 4 videotaped role-play situations, regarding giving and receiving criticism. Types of situations and gender of partners were varied. Results showed significant greater duration and frequencies of gaze and more fixed gaze in patients group. Both groups looked more to the partner during listening than talking phase of the interactions, as expected, the patients discriminating less between phases. Both groups looked less in the situations were they have been criticized than in situations where they criticized the partners. Both groups looked less when interacting with male partner, specially the patients. These results in general replicated data from other researchers and indicated which specific dimensions of looking need to be addressed in social skills training for psychiatric patients.
social skills; gaze; psychotics; desinstitutionalization; role-play
