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Eye Contact in Familiar and Unfamiliar Settings

Eye Contact in Familiar and Unfamiliar Settings

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Science Fair Project Description

Our eyes have been referred to as the "window to the soul". This is not just an expression; our eyes reveal our emotional state or well being. Our eyes play an important role in communicating. The rolling of eyes, prolonged eye contact (for example, with someone we find attractive), or the avoidance of eye contact, all send a unique message to the other person. In this science project, you will observe the frequency of eye contact, or lack of eye contact in others. You will observe people in two different settings: The first will take place where people are not likely to know each other and the second will be in a setting where people are more likely to be familiar with each other.
Complexity level:4
Time required:includes the amount of time required for locating appropriate places to conduct the experiment.
Safety concerns:

Overview

Evolutionary scientists believe that our eyes have evolved to its current form from a time when both cooperation and communication required eye contact. The human eye is different from the eyes of other primates in its appearance. The colored iris lies between the white of the eye and the black pupil. This arrangement of different colors may have given the eye the function of not just enabling human beings to see, but also to be noticed by others.

Eye contact is also governed by culture. In some cultures, direct eye contact is seen as being disrespectful; while in others, eye contact is valued.

In the animal kingdom, particularly for monkeys and apes, direct eye contact is considered a threat.

Scientific Terms

Eye contact

Materials

  • Stop watch
  • Data sheet (provided below)

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Procedure

You will conduct this experiment in two different settings. Setting A will be in a place where people are not likely to know each other. Examples would be:

  • A grocery store

  • The mall

  • A parking lot

  • A city library

Setting B will be in a place where people are likely to know each other. Examples would be:

  • Your school

  • Your place of worship

  • A family gathering

  • An office

The procedures for this experiment are the same for both settings:

  1. Find a busy area at the location, where there is a lot of human traffic

  2. Position yourself in strategic location, ensuring that you have good visibility. Start your stop watch

  3. For three minutes observe the number of times you see people making eye contact or avoiding eye contact. Record your observations on the data sheet.

  4. Repeat these procedures for at least 20 trials.

Eye contact observed

Eye contact avoided

Setting A

Setting B

References

"Why are eyes so alluring" on the Live Science web site http://www.livescience.com/4299-eyes-alluring.html

Related videos

These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
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