Making eye contact helps both people focus on the conversation and read facial expressions. This can improve understanding. And improving understanding can significantly improve communication between two people.
Research has shown that people who make more eye contact are perceived as more powerful, warm, personable, attractive, likable, competent, valuable, skilled, trustworthy, honest, and confident.
Eye contact is often talked about as beginner level non-verbal communication or as predominantly connected to issues of self-confidence. To give, or not to give, eye contact is also a power play. The higher up we are in the chain of power the more impact our use or lack of eye contact matters.
Increased eye contact is associated with credibility and dominance. Lack of contact and blinking are interpreted as submissive.
“Socially acceptable manipulation, such as smiling and making eye contact, are considered healthy ways to increase the chances of human connection. But when manipulation is used to avoid vulnerability and establish power over others, it becomes unhealthy.”
Eye contact is so powerful a force because it is connected with humans' earliest survival patterns. Children who could attract and maintain eye contact, and therefore increase attention, had the best chance of being fed and cared for. Today, newborns instinctively lock eyes with their caregivers.
Too much eye contact can also make us uncomfortable and people who stare without letting go can come across as creepy. As well as sending our brains into social overdrive, research also shows that eye contact shapes our perception of the other person who meets our gaze.
If you want to send the object of your affection a clear signal, then try eye contact. It is a simple way to flirt and you can do it almost anywhere. Think about where you will next see the person you are interested in.
For example, strong eye contact can mean anything from scrutiny to distrust or curiosity to genuine attraction. Eye contact signals attention in most cases, so at the very least, if someone is maintaining strong levels of eye contact with you, it's a sign that they notice you and give you their attention.
Eye contact is a subtle but strong sign. If she holds eye contact with you, that could be a sign she's interested. Let's say you're in a social setting and a woman across the room looks at you. If she looks at you and then instantly turns away, it may be because she is shy or doesn't want to get caught looking at you.
Locking eyes with someone can make you fall in love. Eye contact triggers a powerful connection that may escalate attraction. Mutual gaze is a sign of attraction and a good predictor of two individuals being in love.
Eye contact is an important nonverbal social cue because it projects confidence, self-esteem and assertiveness.
Sure eye contact shows confidence and interest, but that's not what it's really about. What eye contact is really about, is giving. It's about giving the woman attention and respect, and showing her that you appreciate her for the beautiful person she is (and not just physical beauty).
Actually, science has proven it so! Certain chemicals (or endorphins) that produce the emotion of love can be emitted through emotions expressed in the eyes. There are physiological changes in the eyes that occur when love is expressed between two individuals.
Like touch, eye contact triggers the release of oxytocin. When someone is attracted to you, they subconsciously will try engaging in lots of mutual eye contact. They do this to feel closer to you, and because they are interested in you and what you are saying.
Flirting using eye contact is great because it doesn't require you to think of witty lines, or even to know very much about your crush. Eye contact is one of the most powerful ways that people convey attraction, but it's also subtle enough to be fairly risk free if you don't yet know if your crush is interested.
You may notice her glaring at you without a trace of a smile on her face, which implies she's upset or annoyed at you in some way. Other signs that she's upset include giving you the silent treatment or speaking sarcastically (and sometimes with deliberate rudeness) when she does talk to you.
He might give you intense eye contact and look at your chest or check you out when you're across the room. If you catch him looking at you, it probably means he likes you. He will probably start the conversation more often than not if he isn't trying to play it too cool. If you start the conversation, that's okay too.
Eye contact anxiety refers to the discomfort a person feels when looking at someone directly in the eyes. A person with eye contact anxiety may avoid making eye contact when talking to someone. If they do make eye contact, they may feel like they are being judged or scrutinized.
If a girl avoids eye contact with you, it can indicate that she's interested in you or not. Also, it might mean that she avoids eye contact generally with people or doesn't want a conversation with you. Regardless of the reason, checking her body language and talking to her might tell you why she avoids eye contact.
They're Attracted to You
The lack of a smile might not be a sign of disinterest; rather, it could indicate that he's feeling a strong connection and doesn't want to look away. If you're interested in him too, try making eye contact and smiling to see if he reciprocates.
If you notice he is making more eye contact with you or you catch a guy staring at you, he is probably attracted to you. He may be enthralled by your good looks and may be fantasizing about kissing you. Perhaps he stares at you and smiles; that could mean he likes you, too.
He may think that by avoiding eye contact, he can mask his feelings and make sure that you don't suspect that he feels attracted to you. Usually, a shy guy will go this route when he has feelings for you because he may not be able to walk up to you and ask you out immediately.