Oculesics

The study of eye contact in nonverbal communication or use of the eyes in communication. Oculesics includes direct eye contact, indirect eye contact, and duration of the eye contact. It is expected in American culture that a person will look directly at another when communicating with that person. However, it is considered rude in American culture to stare into the eyes of another person. If one avoids eye contact when communicating with another person, it is believed that that person is insecure and untrusting. Direct eye contact can be misinterpreted as being aggressive. Minimal eye contact can be misinterpreted as having a lack of interest in what a person is saying. The situation also affects the use and interpretation of eye contact. For instance, making direct eye contact with or staring at a stranger in a New York subway can be dangerous to one's physical well-being.