Do you make eye contact when talking to people? If you don't, what do you focus on, or look at?

Answer 1

"The Psychology of Interpersonal Behavior, observes that people look at each other between 30 and 60 percent of the time. he also notes that when two individuals while talking look at each other more than 60 percent of the time, they probably are more interested in the other person than in what he is saying. two extremes might be lovers looking at each other adoringly and two hostile individuals getting ready to fight. argyle also believes that abstract thinkers tend to have more eye contact than those who think in concrete terms, because abstract thinkers have a greater ability to integrate incoming data and are less likely to be distracted by eye contact. we have also found that people tend to have eye contact more when they listen than when talking. thjey also employ a gaze aversion when asked questions that make them feel uncomfortable of guilty. on the other hand, when asked a question or when reacting to a statement that makes them feel defensice, aggressive, or hostile, their eye contact increases dramatically. you can sometimes clearly see the pupils dialate when a person is thus aroused. as with every rule, there are exceptions. the amount of eye contact varies dramatically with different individuals and cultures. certain individuals, due to shyness, tend to avoid eye contact or at least minimize it if at all possible. these persons could possibly be the most honest, sincere, and dedicated individuals around. however, every time they fail to look at the other person, they are unintentionally communicationg doubt and possible prevarication." etc etc etc

Answer 2

As a baby I had very poor eyesight, and I didn't get glasses until I was 18 months old, well past the age when most kids start making eye contact and recognizing faces. As a result, though I see fine with glasses and am otherwise normal, I tend not to focus on faces even when I am paying attention. I try to make eye contact for social reasons, though. By the way, in some cultures making eye contact can be rude, where not making eye contact would be rude for us.

Answer 3

I try to make eye contact every time. If I have difficulty keeping it, I focus either on the mouth or nose, even the forehead just so that I am looking in the general direction.

I find a lot of people tend to look at the mouth more than the eyes anyway though.

Answer 4

Eye contact is distracting.

And coming to the question. "If you don't, what do you focus on, or look at? "
I don't know how to answer.. but its like asking.
"what do you focus on(with your eyes) when you are thinking?"

Looking somewhere with the eye and talking are totally independent things. You don't look anywhere in particular when you are using your brain while talking.

Answer 5

I do, but I jump around when I do...so that I don't make them or myself uncomfortable. I have been with a few friends and watched this closely. Usually, they all look at the floor. I think this is an outwardly sign that they are insecure. I am referring to the folks who NEVER make eye contact. It is pure behavior, meaning they can control it. When my little girl was about 4, her doctor felt she might be autistic because she did not speak to even me in the company of strangers. But that was not the case. She was simply insecure. She's grown out of it, but I have learned that a lot of habits like this reflect how the person feels about themselves more than about those with whom they share any given space with.

Answer 6

I make eye contact when I want to. If not I tend to look around the room and look for something else to talk about. If I have to look at them for example to avoid getting into trouble I would try and stare them out... Hehe

Answer 7

I don't trust anyone that won't look me in the eye when they're talking to me. So absolutely, yes I do make eye contact.

Answer 8

I am always observing things around me. I look at the person I am talking to then be looking at other things then come back to looking at them. Sometimes I can get another good conversation out of what I just saw

Answer 9

we dont hav to make fast and hard
rules about it, differen cultures hav diff ettiquette, diff
circumstances too. things are changin but for xampl in china
makin prolongd eyecontact meant a challenge, so it wasnt
considerd so cool.
i will sometimes look away fr certain ppl cuz when i look
at someone i coud get very deeply into his personality and soul
so it may be kinder to look away.
its like anythin else some ppl will always judge u no
matter which rules u follow

Answer 10

Yes making eye contact is important when speaking to others. It demonstrates your strength and power in your words. Making eye contact illustrates confidence and inner strength.