The consistency of gaze patterns in social interaction.

Abstract

Previous work on gaze direction, in social interaction, is reviewed and suggestions made for further work: (1) study a larger range of gaze and action measures than mutual gaze (eye contact), (2) study subjects' gaze and action patterns over a number of interactions to find how consistent they are, (3) examine the effect of one subject's gaze and action patterns on the gaze and action patterns of the other subject, (4) examine the effect of one subject's gaze and action patterns on the way the other subject perceives him. Sex and personality differences are also studied. An experiment is performed in which 11 subjects interact with each of four other subjects. The subjects have consistent gaze and action patterns, although the person they are interacting with does have some effect. The data on the intercorrelation of the subject's gaze and action patterns show the amount the subject looks, and the length and frequency of his gazes, while speaking and listening, and while meeting the other's gaze, are all related. The correlation data, and the data on the relation of one subject's gaze and action patterns to those of the other subject, contain some complex relations that are interpreted as being concerned with the ‘smoothness’ of the encounter. The data on the perception of gaze patterns show that subjects who look in long gazes are liked more than subjects who look in short frequent gazes. Sex and personality differences are found, but they are not very clear‐cut. Suggestions are made for further research to clarify the interrelations of the two subjects' gaze and action patterns.