Sunday, November 15, 2026SubscribeMastheadAbout
Cali ReporterCalifornia · National · West Coast · Good News

Advertisement

Relationships

It’s not that you look, it’s when: The hidden power of eye contact

For the first time, a new study has revealed how and when we make eye contact -- not just the act itself -- plays a crucial role in how we u

Portrait of Julia Moreau
Relationships · September 26, 2026
Share

AI-generated rendition with an imagined camera angle, not a documentary photograph. Source: www.sciencedaily.com
AI-generated rendition with an imagined camera angle, not a documentary photograph. Source image: www.sciencedaily.com.

For the first time, a new study has revealed how and when we make eye contact -- not just the act itself -- plays a crucial role in how we understand and respond to others, including robots. Led by cognitive neuroscientist Dr Nathan Caruana, researchers from the HAVIC Lab at Flinders University asked 137 participants to complete a block-building task with a virtual partner.

They discovered that the most effective way to signal a request was through a specific gaze sequence: looking at an object, making eye contact, then looking back at the same object. This timing made people most likely to interpret the gaze as a call for help.

First reported by ScienceDaily: Relationships.

The Cali Reporter newsletter

The stories worth your time.

California, the country, and what comes next. Join our free newsletter for reporting that keeps you informed.

By joining, you agree to receive the Cali Reporter newsletter. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy.

More in Relationships

Advertisement