According to NPR, a study published online in Psychological Science points out the futility of direct eye contact when it comes to changing another person's mind, no matter how mini. Researchers in Germany conducted two separate experiments to prove that — far from being more persuassive — having another person look in your eyes may actually backfire.
The first experiment polled university students on hot button issues like assisted suicide. These students first watched a video of people presenting both sides of the debate. Using eye-tracking technology, the researchers were able to determine that the students locked eyes more often with speakers they agreed with. Eye contact was avoided when a speaker expressed an opinion the students did not agree with.
This makes sense to me. I'm thinking about how my kids look right at me when I offer up ice cream. But they refuse to keep eye contact with me when I tell them it's time for bed.
The German experiment further found that students were less likely to change their opinions when they made direct eye contact with a speaker. A speaker who looked directly at the students was even less persuasive!
Wow, I'm feeling ineffective as a mom.
A second experiment solidified the findings. In fact, it was determined that when students looked at the eyes of a speaker, they were less likely to change their opinion than if they watched the speaker's mouth.
So, if these findings are true, perhaps I should have beseeched my daughter this morning to "Look at my mouth when I'm talking to you!" Then maybe she would have stopped fighting me on picking up the playroom before the school bus came.
I may try this approach tomorrow. Chances are no matter if my daughter looks at my eyes or my mouth, she won't feel much like listening to me!
Kredit : what to expect
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