The Problem with Eye Contact

The article explores why maintaining eye contact can feel challenging for some individuals, linking it to the brain's cognitive load and verbal processing demands. Researchers suggest that the brain struggles to simultaneously process complex thoughts while engaging in direct gaze interaction, which may explain discomfort in social or public speaking situations. This insight sheds light on the neurological basis of eye contact anxiety and its impact on communication effectiveness.

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The article examines the neural mechanisms behind eye contact and its effect on cognitive processing, revealing that direct gaze can interfere with verbal fluency. Researchers found that maintaining eye contact while thinking or speaking increases cognitive load, making it harder to retrieve words and construct sentences. These findings provide a scientific basis for why some individuals experience eye contact anxiety and struggle with speech production in social interactions.

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