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Insincere utterances and gaze: eye contact during sarcastic statements
Jason A Williams1, Erin L Burns, Elizabeth A Harmon
1Department of Psychology and Child Development, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA. jwilli26@calpoly.edu
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|June 24, 2009
Summary
Speakers tend to look away more when using sarcasm compared to sincerity. This study empirically investigated gaze direction during sarcastic versus sincere speech in conversations.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Nonverbal Communication
- Linguistics
Background:
- Anecdotal observations suggest speakers avert gaze during sarcasm.
- Empirical investigation into gaze direction during sincere versus sarcastic speech is lacking.
- Understanding nonverbal cues in sarcasm is crucial for effective communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically compare speaker gaze direction during sincere and sarcastic utterances.
- To provide empirical evidence for anecdotal claims about gaze aversion in sarcasm.
Main Methods:
- 18 participants recited contradictory statements, conveying sincerity or sarcasm.
- Videotaped interactions analyzed gaze direction during sincere and sarcastic utterances.
- Dyadic conversations were used to examine naturalistic communication patterns.
Main Results:
- Sarcastic utterances were accompanied by significantly greater gaze aversion than sincere utterances.
- This effect was observed in 15 out of 18 participants.
- The findings highlight a consistent nonverbal behavior associated with sarcasm.
Conclusions:
- Speakers exhibit increased gaze aversion when producing sarcasm.
- This nonverbal cue may serve to manage the social and cognitive demands of sarcasm.
- Cultural variations in nonverbal cues could influence the interpretation of sarcasm and lead to miscommunication.
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