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The question is self-explanatory (I hope).

Is this trait unique to humans?

Does the direction of the unfocused gaze indicate anything about which physical part of the brain is being utilized?

Is the hippocampus physically linked to the optic nerve and muscles surrounding the eye?

Is this effect related to other phenomena that are life threatening and deprive areas of the body and/or perception deemed unnecessary for survival?

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    $\begingroup$ Because when you focus inwards (on your thoughts) your attention is no longer focussed on the outside world and you relax the muscles in your eyes. $\endgroup$
    – user3116
    Oct 9, 2013 at 15:57
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    $\begingroup$ It also happens when people are trying to solve a mental problem (like doing arithmetic in the head), not just when they're memorizing something. I've read that most people will look upwards and to the left when doing this, but I don't know about the neurophysiological reasons behind it. $\endgroup$
    – Ana
    Oct 10, 2013 at 10:35
  • $\begingroup$ @what not necessarily the full picture $\endgroup$
    – user10932
    Oct 11, 2013 at 7:05
  • $\begingroup$ @Ana I think he means recalling a memory not memorizing. But I agree it happens when problem solving $\endgroup$
    – user10932
    Oct 11, 2013 at 7:06
  • $\begingroup$ wow, such great info! I'm actually a spatial leaner. I searched in Google why do I look unfocused . thank you! $\endgroup$
    – user9569
    Oct 17, 2015 at 11:37

1 Answer 1

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The unfocused gaze and eye direction when recalling a memory or imagining something.

Eye movements assist in recalling spatial visual memories. The eyes move in the direction of where the object was in relation to the person, when perceived. Restricting eye movements impairs memory recall.

In a recent study we reported that when eye movements were prohibited for participants who orally described pictures from memory, their recollections became altered and impaired (Johansson, Holsanova, Dewhurst, & Holmqvist, (in press). Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance). (1)

...

Results provide evidence that eye movements do have an active and supportive role when visuospatial information is recalled by highlighting the circumstances under which a visual memory is hampered. Additionally, findings suggest that the influence of "eye movements to nothing" is primarily related to the processing and retrieval of spatial information. (1)

The hippocampus store long term spatial memory.

The hippocampus is the storage centre for long term spatial memory, as it is central to the storage of much our the brains long term memory. It is not physically connected the the optic nerve, nor is it connected to the eye muscles.

optic nerves
Image: Optic nerves, Gray's Anatomy (copyright expired)

hippocampus
Image: Hippocampus within the brain, Gray's Anatomy (copyright expired)

This post How do memories come up for no apparent reason? Is this evidence that we remember everything? offers some idea about memory storage types.

This is not a complete answer, I have not referenced comparable studies with other species.

Is this effect related to other phenomena that are life threatening and deprive areas of the body and/or perception deemed unnecessary for survival?

No, it is simply the way the body processes and recalls spatial information. The eyes move into the direction they were in when recalling spatial information to place the person in the same spatial orientation from that object.

References:

  • Eye movements play an active role when visuospatial information is recalled from memory
    Johansson, et al doi: 10.1167/12.9.1256 (1)

  • Spatial memory and the human hippocampus.
    Shrager Y, et al

  • Spatial Memory and Hippocampal Function: Where are we now?
    Mark Good

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