This year, viewers picked up on the islanders constantly complimenting each other on “good eye contact,” and for some, it’s starting to get annoying.
“Why can’t anyone look someone in the eye without saying GOOD EYE CONTACT” asked a frustrated viewer.
But there is some basis in what they say – and feel – especially when it comes to dating.
Research has shown that people who maintain eye contact tend to be more confident and have higher self-esteem than people who tend to avert their gaze.
Another study found that maintaining eye contact leads to more “feelings of passionate love, dispositional love, and affection” for their partner.
And crucially, making eye contact indicates interest in the conversation. Yes, this is pretty much the bare minimum in a dating environment, but it’s important.
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“The most important thing to know about eye contact is that it gives us clues about how well a date is going,” Dipti Tait, a relationship psychotherapist, tells Metro.co.uk.
“If the person you’re talking to looks away a little too often, it could indicate they’re distracted and not fully engaged or attentive, and this won’t be conducive to maintaining a good rapport.”
Of course, too intense eye contact can feel, well, weird.
“On the other hand, too much eye contact can feel intrusive and uncomfortable,” says Dipti.
Some people might find eye contact intimidating, but in a good way – this is quite evident in Love Island, with many contestants saying the intense eye contact makes them shy and nervous.
Dennis Relojo-Howell, a researcher in clinical psychology and the general manager of the psychology website Psychreg explains this is because “eye contact can help convey confidence and assertiveness, which can be attractive qualities in a potential partner.”
Nevertheless, it is vital to do not forget that eye contact is not for everybody.
“Sustaining pure eye contact is one thing that neurotypical folks can do with out pondering,” says Dipti. “It is solely after we get nervous that we will start to overthink our eye contact, and this can begin to really feel unnatural and compelled.”
For folks on the autistic spectrum, for instance, or these coping with anxiousness, PTSD, or shyness, it isn’t that easy.
“The sort and significant eye contact of 1 individual might be an uncomfortable and even horrifying second for the opposite,” says psychologist Anna Sergent.
“Generally eye contact might be perceived as invasive and the individual cannot observe the dialog and deal with constructing rapport.”
It is vital to maintain this in thoughts when fastidiously analyzing your date’s eye contact ranges.
And for those who’re fearful about not sustaining your date’s eye contact sufficient, do not.
As an alternative, simply deal with enjoyable and being your self. On this method, says Dipti, ‘you possibly can let your eyes converse in a pure and relaxed method’.
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Get in contact by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
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