Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026

Using Eye Movements Recorded in the Visual World Paradigm to Explore the Online Processing of Spoken Language
Published on: October 13, 2018
Direct Speaker Gaze Promotes Trust in Truth-Ambiguous Statements.
Helene Kreysa1, Luise Kessler1, Stefan R Schweinberger1,2
1Department of Psychology, General Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.
Direct eye contact from speakers increases listener belief in ambiguous statements. This non-verbal cue may also slow down the rejection of untrue claims, impacting communication.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Communication Studies
- Non-verbal Behavior
Background:
- Speaker gaze is a crucial non-verbal cue in communication.
- Understanding the impact of gaze on belief formation is essential for effective interaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if direct eye gaze influences belief in truth-ambiguous statements.
- To examine the effect of speaker gaze on the speed of statement rejection.
Main Methods:
- Participants viewed videos of a speaker making truth-ambiguous statements.
- Speaker gaze was manipulated to be either direct or averted.
- Participants used a forced-choice task to indicate belief and response times were recorded.
Main Results:
- Statements were more likely to be believed when the speaker used direct gaze.
- Participants were slower to disbelieve statements made with direct gaze compared to averted gaze.
Conclusions:
- Direct eye gaze enhances belief in ambiguous information.
- Direct gaze may inhibit the cognitive process of rejecting false statements, highlighting its persuasive power.
More Related Videos
07:36Eye Tracking During Visually Situated Language Comprehension: Flexibility and Limitations in Uncovering Visual Context Effects
Published on: November 30, 2018
07:18Author Spotlight: Deciphering the Cognitive and Neural Mechanisms of Gesture in Communication
Published on: January 26, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Understanding Deception
Confirmation Biases
Therapeutic Communication
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
Strategies of Self-Presentation I: Strategic Self-Presentation
Strategies of Self-Presentation II: Self-Verification
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification