The Lost Art of Eye Contact in the Digital Age

In This Story

People Mentioned in This Story
Body

Every day, as I walk down the halls of George Mason’s College of Public Health, I see the heads of students, faculty, and staff buried deep into their digital devices. Phones have made us always on and available, responding to the digital pings of friends, colleagues, children, parents, or caregivers seeking an immediate response to an idea, question, or post. So, while we might be working, sharing a like or a smile, a wink, or a hello, we also are missing an opportunity for simple eye contact.

I see this as a fundamental shift in our interpersonal communications capacity. Raised in a rural environment where greeting each person with a smile or a nod was commonplace, I find it increasingly difficult to catch someone’s eye. This has me wondering about the implications of our diverted gazes on our culture and social well-being, the capacity for deep connection and, therefore, empathy among the next generation, and how we might approach addressing this growing concern.

The Shift in Gaze

Eye contact
"As an educator, it concerns me deeply that the opportunity for spontaneous, genuine connections—so vital for building trust and understanding—is being overshadowed by the lure of glowing screens," says Perry, pictured here speaking with CPH faculty.

Our modern lifestyle locks our eyes more frequently on screens than on human faces. Whether it's in public transportation, cafes, or even during intimate gatherings, people are more often engrossed in a digital world. This change is not merely a shift in where we look but fundamentally how we connect and interact with others. In the academic corridors, this shift prompts a critical inquiry: when do we truly look at each other? As an educator, it concerns me deeply that the opportunity for spontaneous, genuine connections—so vital for building trust and understanding—is being overshadowed by the lure of glowing screens.

Scientific Insights Into Eye Contact

Eye contact is not just a social signal; it is a complex, brain-stimulating interaction that is vital for human connection. Neuroscience research shows that when two people make eye contact, their neural activity synchronizes, enhancing communication and understanding. This phenomenon, known as interbrain synchrony, fosters a shared sense of purpose and emotional state. As a dean, I ponder the implications of this science on our teaching methods and student interactions. Are we nurturing an environment that encourages these meaningful connections, or are we succumbing to the ease of digital communication?

Direct eye contact stimulates specific brain regions tied to social cognition and empathy. These areas include the prefrontal cortex and the superior temporal sulcus. They are essential for decoding another person's emotions and intentions, serving as critical components in the architecture of empathy.

The Shift in Gaze

Our modern lifestyle locks our eyes more frequently on screens than on human faces. Whether it's in public transportation, cafes, or even during intimate gatherings, people are more often engrossed in a digital world. This change is not merely a shift in where we look but fundamentally how we connect and interact with others. In the academic corridors, this shift prompts a critical inquiry: when do we truly look at each other? As an educator, it concerns me deeply that the opportunity for spontaneous, genuine connections—so vital for building trust and understanding—is being overshadowed by the lure of glowing screens.

Scientific Insights Into Eye Contact

Eye contact is not just a social signal; it is a complex, brain-stimulating interaction that is vital for human connection. Neuroscience research shows that when two people make eye contact, their neural activity synchronizes, enhancing communication and understanding. This phenomenon, known as interbrain synchrony, fosters a shared sense of purpose and emotional state. As a dean, I ponder the implications of this science on our teaching methods and student interactions. Are we nurturing an environment that encourages these meaningful connections, or are we succumbing to the ease of digital communication?

Direct eye contact stimulates specific brain regions tied to social cognition and empathy. These areas include the prefrontal cortex and the superior temporal sulcus. They are essential for decoding another person's emotions and intentions, serving as critical components in the architecture of empathy.

 

This story was originally featured on Psychology Today in the Dean's recurring column The Mindful Epidemiologist.