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Eye contact occurs when two people or non-human animals look at each other's eyes at the same time.[1] In people, eye contact is a form of nonverbal communication and can have a large influence on social behavior. Coined in the early to mid-1960s, the term came from the West to often define the act as a meaningful and important sign of confidence and respect.[2] The customs, meaning, and significance of eye contact can vary greatly between societies, neurotypes, and religions.
The study of eye contact is sometimes known as oculesics.[3]
- ^ "Eye contact". Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus. Retrieved May 14, 2006.
- ^ "the definition of eye contact". www.dictionary.com.
- ^ Krueger (2008), p. 6