What does it mean when a person looks away when speaking, according to psychology?
Nonverbal behavior, such as gestures or glances, conveys information about how the person we are talking to makes us feel.
Nonverbal language is a highly effective means of communication that helps you express what you really want to say. In face-to-face communication, nonverbal behavior is considered to represent a considerably higher percentage of the information we convey than verbal communication. Eye contact is practically a requirement for initiating communication , as it's common for the first thing we do when addressing someone to be looking them directly in the eyes, capturing their attention and demonstrating that we want to communicate something.
It's very important to establish and respect the speaking turn of each interlocutor. When you're having a conversation with someone and they suddenly look at you and then stop speaking , they're probably waiting for a response from you.
While having a conversation, we typically maintain direct eye contact between 40 and 60% of the time . Completely unconsciously, our brain tries to retrieve information or think about what to say or even how to lie . This also translates to our gaze. For example, according to psychology, our gaze shifts to one side when lying and to the other when remembering. This behavior is known by both police officers (who practice it during interrogations) and trained human resources personnel. The predisposition to look to one side or the other is based on our cerebral hemisphere dominance , that is, whether we are left- or right-handed.
According to Paula Martínez, a psychology graduate with a master's degree in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, there are different types of eye gazes that carry different meanings. Among them, the averted gaze stands out , as it's the one we most often notice in our daily lives. What does it mean to avoid eye contact? If a person avoids looking another person in the eye, it's usually because they feel threatened, insecure, or embarrassed, given that in psychology, averting eye gaze is synonymous with insecurity or embarrassment.
- Intense, prolonged gaze : Prolonged eye contact demonstrates attention to what the interlocutor wants to convey or the actions they are performing. It is usually accompanied by a raised eyebrow. If the gaze is too insistent, it may signal defiance.
- Squinting eyes : shows defensiveness or anticipation of an attack.
- Excessive blinking : This is usually due to nerves, indicating restlessness or embarrassment.
- Dilated pupils : This usually occurs when we find something interesting or even fascinating. That is, when we feel attracted to something.
These are some of the causes of avoiding eye contact.
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