Sherry Taylor

Q: New research finds if you’re trying to persuade someone you should actually avoid this.

A: making eye contact with them

TO BE PERSUASIVE AVOID EYE CONTACT: New research finds if you’re trying to persuade someone you should actually avoid making eye contact with them. To find this, German researchers had participants watch a video of someone speaking, and used eye tracking technology to follow participants’ eyes. They found that participants who spent longer looking into the speaker’s eyes were less persuaded by the speaker’s argument. Researchers explain, saying, “There is a lot of cultural lore about the power of eye contact as an influence tool. But out findings show that direct eye contact makes skeptical listeners less likely to change their minds, not more, as previously believed.” They say eye contact is a very primal instinct, and goes along with many subconscious physiological changes.” (Daily Mail)

Latest Stories

22 hours ago in Entertainment

Charlie Brown’s longtime pen pal is finally revealed in new Apple TV ‘Peanuts’ movie

Charlie Brown began writing to a pen pal not long after the comic strip "Peanuts" debuted in newspapers back in 1950. No one has gotten a look at whoever was on the other end of his letters — until now.

22 hours ago in Entertainment, Music

Usher says tour with Chris Brown is about more than 2 stars. He makes the case for R&B in stadiums

As Usher prepares to launch a stadium tour with Chris Brown, he says the criticism and legal troubles surrounding the singer never factored into his decision to embark on the tour.

2 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

When a rip current sucks you out to sea, try not to panic

To someone who is getting sucked out to sea by a rip current, "Don't panic!" may be difficult to heed, even if that's exactly what you should do. But lifeguards say to not only relax but flip over and float out of the danger.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Film academy invites 529 new members, including Jenna Ortega, the Safdie brothers and Jacob Elordi

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday invited 529 members to the Oscar voting body, a new class that brings the group's membership to nearly double what it was a decade ago.