Eye contact is a vital aspect of human interaction, playing a significant role in social bonding, communication, and relationships. According to social psychologist Judith Hall, people generally have a good sense of when eye contact feels like too much or too little as it’s happening, but quantifying the right amount is not possible.

The Importance of Eye Contact

Melissa J. Perry, dean of the College of Public Health at George Mason University, notes that eye contact is not just a social courtesy, but a brain-stimulating interaction that is fundamental to human connection. Our brains are optimized for seeking out sensory input from others through eye contact and other nonverbal cues, including facial expressions and posture.

Eye contact also has neurochemical effects within the body, including the release of oxytocin, the neuropeptide that plays a crucial role in social bonding. Paula Niedenthal, a professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explains that the initial function of eye contact is to create a social bond with somebody and to generate activation in the reward systems of the brain and the production of oxytocin.

Cultural Differences and Individual Variations

Cultural differences can also come into play when it comes to what’s considered an acceptable amount of eye contact. Hall notes that there is a lot of cultural universality, although specific cultures can have their own norms. Additionally, people with neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism, may avoid eye contact due to high arousal levels.

Niedenthal adds that there’s a continuum when it comes to the extent to which eye contact can feel too arousing to different people. Being aware of the power of eye contact and other nonverbal forms of communication is a step in the right direction, according to Perry.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.