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Eye contact with videos

Sandwich_Dan

It's well known that we have problems making and/or maintaining eye contact with other people.  However, I was watching a video presentation on my laptop earlier and had no problem keeping eye contact with the person on the screen.  In fact I find myself drawn to people's eyes in videos and pictures but can't do it with real people.  Anyone else find this.

  • Agreed, but eye contact with a video may not be the issue - the person is not looking back at you interrogating/assessing your eye. Their eye contact is directed somewhere else.

    I'm not sure it is the eye contact so much as the information. I know I'm not using it right when I try it - it is uncomfortable, but also I'm more inclined to glower or stare hard.

    The purpose of eye contact, apart from showing attention, is an exchange of information - something to do with trust - a message in dilation of the eye. I haven't a clue how this works in practice, though I've read about it. I doubt if my eye provides useful information to the other person either. It should reassure both parties about intention (well that's what I've gleaned from reading up about it).

    I do study other people discretely (at least I hope it is discrete!) - clearly there is something going on with eye contact. Watching other people's behaviours when engaging and interacting with one another is very revealing - just it doesnt make sense in relation to me.

    But a video person isn't engaging in eye contact with you personally.