What is eye contact? When should eye contact be made? When should it not? Which sex makes better eye contact, males or females? To answer these questions, not only did I do some internet research, but I also had to do some observational research as well.

Eye contact is defined as direct visual contact with another’s eyes (American Heritage College Dictionary). By making eye contact, one is showing that they have an interest in what the speaker has to say. The best time to make eye contact is obviously when you are speaking with another person. Three different situations in which eye contact is good are:

1. On a date- making eye contact shows that you are focusing all your thoughts on what your date has to say. It inspires trust, and conveys a sense of interest, warmth, and concern.
2. In an interview- looking the interviewer in the eye shows an interest in the conversation, and let’s the interviewer know that you are secure, confident, and have self-esteem.
3. During a presentation- making eye contact with the audience helps to regulate the flow of communication and increase the speaker’s credibility.

Making eye contact is also effective when trying to get someone’s attention, such as when a parent is trying to get their child to obey them. Too much eye contact though can be bad and can make an individual appear like they are staring.

Some individuals, however, are shy and making eye contact can be quite difficult for them. This can also send out mixed messages to other people. If the person is on a date and is not making eye contact, their date could read that to mean, "I’m not interested in you", or "I’m not being totally open with you". In an interview or during a presentation, lack of eye contact can also send negative messages. It could say to the other person that you’re scared, disinterested, insecure, nervous or lacking in self-esteem and confidence.

Albeit, there are times when making eye contact is bad. During a crime for instance, it is never good to look the criminal in the eye. This could signal that you want to challenge him/her and make the person very angry. In situations with animals, such as bears, it is also not good to look them in the eye. It is never good to look a bear directly in the eye. This is seen as a sign of aggression by the bear and could cause him to attack. Furthermore, some cultures prevent women from making eye contact with other individuals. Doing so could bring harm to the women for lack of obedience.

For my project, I wanted to know which sex was better at making eye contact. To do this, I decided to go to the mall, specifically the food court, and watch "couples" having conversations. I watched female/female, male/male, and male/female conversations for approximately five minutes or so. What I found was basically what I expected.

During the female/female conversations, 80% of the females that were talking made constant eye contact. They rarely looked around the room or focused their attention on anything other than the listener. One hundred percent (100%) of the females who were listening also made constant eye contact, showing that they had an interest in the conversation.

In the male/male conversations, however, about 90% or so of the males talking did not make eye contact. They constantly glanced around the room or looked down at the table, rather than looking at the person they were talking to. Fifty percent (50%) of the males who were listening though did attempt to make eye contact to show that they were paying attention. The other 50% also looked around the room, appearing to be more concerned about what was going on around them than what their friend had to say. They would, however, constantly nod or shake their head to show that they were listening to their friend.

In the male/female conversations, I noticed that when the female was talking, about 50% of them would make eye contact. Fifty percent (50%) of the males who were listening would also make eye contact. When the male looked down, is when the female seemed to be looking at the male the most. As soon as the male looked up though, the female would turn her head away and glance down. When the males talked though, only about 30% of them would make eye contact, while 90% of the females listening would make eye contact, or look at the male to show interest in the conversation.

After making these observations, I came to the conclusion that females are more likely than males to make eye contact, both when they are talking and when they are listening. I think females command more attention and want to know they are being heard, so this is why they make eye contact when talking. Females are also better listeners and prove it by their use of eye contact. Males on the other hand, are less likely to make eye contact and more likely to look around the room. Males let others know that they are paying attention with nods of the head, rather than the use eye contact. They do, however, seem to look more at a female who is talking, rather that a male who is talking. Females also do the same thing; look more at a female who is talking than at a male who is talking.

A chart of my observations follows: