Science Reveals Why It’s So Hard to Maintain Eye Contact

Written By:

Written By:

Science Reveals Hard Maintain Eye Contact 1

Do you struggle a lot making eye contact with people while having a conversation with them? And, do you feel bad about it? Then hold one. Here’s good news for you!




Findings from new research published in the journal Cognition revealed that there is a good scientific reason behind why some people feel uncomfortable making eye contact. 

It is all in our brains!
There is nothing to feel embarrassed about! 
Researchers say that our brains can’t balance the task of talking appropriately using the right words and focusing on eyes at the same time. 



The amount of mental effort required to think of right words or less familiar words during an important discussion  is the same as that needed when you have to sustain eye contact. 

Related: Science Reveals If You Have THESE 3 Bad Habits, You Might Be Exceptionally Intelligent

Do you forget words when you focus on the face? Or do you think longer about links between easily associated words?




Scientists from Kyoto University in Japan tested the problem of word association and eye contact in 26 volunteers. Participants engaged in word association games while staring at computer generated faces. 

Surprisingly, participants found it hard to come up with links between words when making eye contact. 

Even though looking into eyes and verbal communication are independent things, people frequently turn away their eyes when talking to the other person. Researchers suggest that there is an interference between making eye contact and verbal processing.

So, they tested the volunteers playing word association games for two different conditions:

  1. Looking at the animation of faces making eye contact.
  2. Looking at animations of faces looking away.

And the volunteers were instructed to think of:

  1. Links between easily associated words. For example – verb for knife (cut or stab), that is easy to think
  2. Words having a lot of competing associations. For example –  associated words for folder

No doubt volunteers took more time to think of associated words when they were making eye contact with animated faces. But, they took longer time – when thinking of difficult word associations.




Related: Learn How Your Face Can Reveal What Part Of Your Body Is Sick, And What To Do About It

Overloaded cognitive system

Researchers suspected this could be because of brainstorming to recall the right word. As you brain is handling too much information, it prevents you from making eye contact. This is manifested as hesitation to maintain eye contact!

That doesn’t mean it is impossible to make eye contact with interlocutors and hold a conversation at the same time. Although possible, both activities draw on the same pool of cognitive resources. Sometimes that pool starts to run a little dry which makes you turn away your eyes from the person you are having a dialogue with.

Interesting research! Isn’t it?

So, don’t beat yourself up the next time you struggle to make eye contact with people trying to hold the conversation. Just remember, that your brain got slightly freaked out by eye contact. 

Some people criticized the study for having a very small sample size but this is not the only study to reach this conclusion.  

Another interesting study by Italian psychologist Giovanni Caputo, found that staring into someone else’s eyes for just 10 minutes induced an altered state of consciousness. 




Volunteers saw hallucinations of their relatives, monsters, and even their own faces. Researchers explained that this happened due to neural adaptation – a process where our brains alter their response to a stimulus that doesn’t change. 

It is the same as touching an object. You may feel different for the first few minutes and then the feeling lessens as you continue to keep your hand there. 

It can be interpreted that the volunteers who were trying to make eye contact and think of associated words (both hard  and easy) experienced neural adaptation. 

Related: World’s Leading Psychiatrist Reveals 22 Life Hacks That’ll Shift Your Life 180 Degrees

To come up with a convincing explanation for this phenomenon the Kyoto University researchers are planning for further study, to investigate the links between verbal and non-verbal communication.




making eye contact

I hope so the next time your colleague or neighbor looks away while they are talking to you, you won’t be offended. Don’t think it as rude but an overloaded cognitive system.

If you enjoyed reading about this interesting research, leave a comment below.


Science Reveals Hard Maintain Eye Contact Pin


— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

,

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Zodiac Flowers For Each Sign: Which One Truly Blooms For You?

Great Zodiac Flowers For Each Sign: Which One Is For You?

Most people connect zodiac signs with different characteristics. But have you ever stopped to wonder if you might have a special “zodiac flower”?

Just like each sign has its own set of attributes, some flowers embody these characteristics to the core, reflecting your spirit’s essence.

Flowers are symbols of beauty, growth, and transformation. They’re very much like the astrological signs they represent.

With that being said, let’s explore the world of flowers. Together, let’s find out which one fits you best!

Up Next

20 Best Bhagavad Gita Quotes for Students Who Want to Succeed

Best Bhagavad Gita Quotes for Students Who Want to Succeed

The Bhagavad Gita isn’t just an ancient scripture—it’s a powerhouse of wisdom that has inspired some of the greatest minds in history. These best Bhagavad Gita quotes for students do not just offer life-changing lessons on success, resilience and focus, it can also transform the way you see the world.

As the holy book of Hinduism—one of the oldest and most peaceful religions in the world—the Gita is more than just a spiritual guide.

Ask any Hindu out there and they will tell you the same thing – it’s a philosophy, a way of life and the best manual for tackling challenges with confidence and faith.

Imagine standing on a battlefield, feeling overwhelmed with fear and doubt. That’s exactly where Arjuna found himself in the Battle of Kurukshetra, when Lord Krishna stepped in, delivering some of t

Up Next

The Viral ‘Anglerfish’ That’s Making People Emotional – How It Left A Powerful Message Behind

Viral Anglerfish That Left A Strong, Heart Touching Message

Deep beneath the surface of the ocean, where sunlight is a distant memory and the pressure builds up enormously, the anglerfish is just a strange creature. But wait, why are we getting bombarded with ‘black sea devil anglerfish’ on TikTok? To be fair, I also wouldn’t be crying about this until I saw the Pixar edit of the movie.

This unique specimen uses a special organ that glows to light up the ocean. It also uses a special, terrifying

Up Next

Zodiac Signs as Scents: Find Your Signature Fragrance

Best Zodiac Signs as Scents: Your Signature Fragrance!

Ever wondered what your zodiac sign would smell like if it were a fragrance? Just like astrology offers insight into personality traits, it can also guide you toward the perfect scent that resonates with your energy. Below are zodiac signs as scents. Find your signature smell!

Below is your signature fragrance based on zodiac that reflects your essence. So without further ado, let’s dive into the world of zodiac fragrances and discover which one suits you best!

Read More Here: Power Colors For Zodiac Signs: Learn To Supercharge Your Life!<

Up Next

30+ Inspirational Rumi Quotes: Finding Beauty in Life’s Chaos

Life-Changing Inspirational Rumi Quotes to Reflect On

The words of Rumi have this beautiful way of hitting you right in the soul – his words feel like a warm hug from the universe when you need it the most. His words aren’t just poetry, they’re like little sparks of wisdom. Today we are going to talk about some of the most beautiful and inspirational Rumi quotes.

If you are feeling lost in life, craving love or you just need a reminder that everything will be okay, these Rumi quotes will make you pause, reflect, and you never know, you may even smile.

Born as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī in 1207, Rumi was a Persian poet, Sufi mystic and an Islamic scholar whose words have transcended time, culture, and religion. His words, filled with themes of love, faith, and self-discovery, continues to guide and he

Up Next

‘Dry Texting’ Is Overrated—Here’s How to Make Your Texts Less Painful

Dry Texting is So Last Year Ways to Keep It Interesting

We all know that friend—the one who texts like they’re being forced to do it. Short, lifeless replies. No effort to keep the conversation going. Talking to them feels like talking to a wall, and suddenly, texting feels more like a chore than a conversation.

Don’t be that friend.

I’ve been on the receiving end of dry texting, and let me tell you—it’s frustrating. You send a funny meme, and all you get back is “lol.” You ask how their day was, and they hit you with a dry “good.” No details, no energy, nothing to work with. It makes you wonder why you even texted in the first place.

Texting is supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to feel like a real conversation, not an awkward back-and-forth that goes nowhere. But the good thing is that this habit is easy to fix. With just a litt

Up Next

You Won’t Believe How Good Blake Lively Is in These 7 Roles!

of Blake Lively’s Most Iconic Performances You Can’t Miss!

Blake Lively has delivered some of the best performances in Hollywood, proving time and again that she’s more than just a fashion icon. Since making her acting debut at age 10 in Sandman (1998), she has built an impressive career. While her role as Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl skyrocketed her to fame, Lively has continuously shown that her success isn’t just about playing a stylish It-girl—it’s about talent, range, and undeniable screen presence.

From heartwarming dramas to intense thrillers, Lively has mastered a variety of genres. Fans first fell in love with her in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but over the years, she has taken on more complex roles, like her latest in It Ends With Us. Whether it’s romance, action, or psychological drama, she brings depth and charisma to every performance.

W