People track a moving object better if they are rewarded for doing so

What is it about?

We make slow, steady eye movements to follow a moving object, e.g., a ball we want to catch. We here show that the eyes are better aligned with the object when people think that they will get money for being extra-accurate.

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Why is it important?

We have reasons to believe that we are better at making movements aiming at a moving object, e.g., catching or hitting a ball like in baseball, when our eyes follow the ball more accurately. Our results show that our thoughts and expectations can actually help people to be more accurate.