Eye contact and arousal: The effects of stimulus duration

The present study investigated the effect of stimulus duration on skin conductance responses (SCRs) evoked by different gaze directions of a live person. In two separate parts of the experiment, either two fixed stimulus durations (2 s and 5 s) or a participant-controlled stimulus duration was used. The results showed that the eye contact evoked enhanced SCRs compared to averted gaze or closed eyes conditions irrespective of the presentation time. Subjective evaluations of approach–avoidance-tendencies indicated that the direct gaze elicited either approach or avoidance, depending on the participant. Participants who had evaluated a direct gaze-condition as approachable were found to be more emotionally stabile than those who had evaluated the same condition as avoidable. In the self-timing condition, averted gaze was looked at longer than direct gaze. Our results suggest that direct gaze, also when encountered only briefly like in every-day social encounterings, increases autonomic sympathetic arousal.

► We studied skin conductance responses (SCR) to different gaze conditions.
► Eye contact evoked enhanced SCRs compared to averted gaze or closed eyes.
► This result applied both for short (2 s) and long (5 s) stimulus presentation times.
► In a self-timing condition, averted gaze was looked at longer than direct gaze.
► Direct gaze was approachable for those scoring high on emotional stability.