Research

Pupil Dilation as an Index of Preferred Mutual Gaze Duration

Binetti, Harrison, Coutrot, Johnston & Mareschal (2016) · Royal Society Open Science, 3(7)

We use this paper in 4 places in the academy · 2 stated limits

What the study found

Nearly 500 people were tested. On average they were comfortable with about 3.3 seconds of eye contact. That is longer than an anxious glance and much shorter than a stare.

What the study cannot prove

The study used faces on a screen, not live conversation, and preferences varied a lot between people. 3.3 seconds is an average, not a target.

Limits we note on the exercises

The study used faces on a screen, not live conversation, and people's preferences varied a lot.

The study used filmed faces on screens, not live conversation.

Where we use it

We use this paper in 4 places in the academy. If the paper turned out to be wrong, we would have to change everything in this list. Some of the exercise instructions below are part of Gold. You can read every finding for free.

In the topics · 2

Topic 01 · First Contact

01 — The two-beat look

Topic 10 · The Monroe Method

03 — Three seconds of eyes

In the videos · 1

Lesson 07 · The Switch

Hold eye contact until you know the colour of their eyes

On the courage ladder · 1

Rung 2 · the Rejection Room

Eye contact with three strangers

Other papers used in the same places

These papers are used in the same topics and videos as this one. That does not mean the papers agree with each other. It only means that the same exercises use both.

A Cognitive Model of Social Phobia

Clark & Wells (1995)

Maximizing Exposure Therapy: An Inhibitory Learning Approach

Craske, Treanor, Conway, Zbozinek & Vervliet (2014)

If You Need Help, Just Ask: Underestimating Compliance With Direct Requests for Help

Flynn & Lake (2008)