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People often feel that others are gradually watching them, even if this is not so, the Australian conclusion psychologists.
In an ambiguous situation, the human brain sends to its the owner of the signal that they are looking at him, ”the article says. summarizing a study by specialists from the University of Sydney. The article was published in the scientific journal Current Biology.
The ability to feel one’s gaze on oneself is a social phenomenon that people often take “on faith” – claims Colin, a professor at the University School of Psychology Clifford.
“This ability may seem natural, but, in fact, the brain needs to do a lot of work to make us feel someone else’s look. ”
“In order to determine what is being watched, we evaluate the direction of the eyes of another person and the position of his head, – explained Professor Clifford. Results of these “visual observations “are sent to certain parts of the brain where this information is being processed. ”
However, the brain does not just passively receive information from the eyes. The study shows that when the available “data” is not enough – for example, in a situation of poor lighting, or if the eyes of another are hidden behind glasses – our brain makes a verdict based on of what “knows.”
During the experiment, scientists asked participants to determine whether other people are looking at them.
“We tried to make it hard for people to see, where the views of those they value are actually directed. In order to conclude, they had to be guided their previous observations and experiences. It turned out that in ambiguous situation we tend to conclude that on they are watching us. ”
“So the feeling of someone else’s look is no longer connected with visual cues. Our brain makes an assumption based on previous experience, and compares this with what he sees in this specific moment. ”
Regarding why it’s so easy for us to believe what’s behind us observe, there are several versions:
Firstly, observation from the side can be a signal superiority or even threats, and if you perceive something as threat, it’s always better to play it safe. It’s safer to calculate that they are staring at you, even if this is not so, than not to notice real danger.
Secondly, a look may be a sign that someone wants to enter with us into dialogue, and we can “mentally prepare” for the upcoming to the conversation.
In addition, according to researchers, small children they love when they are fixed on a gaze – that is, quite it is likely that the addiction in question may be congenital.
“It is important to understand whether this property is innate or acquired – and how it manifests itself in people in different psychological states “- says Professor Clifford.
“In the course of research it turned out, for example, that sufferers autism is least likely to say that someone is looking at them. People experiencing “social anxiety,” in contrast, tend to deceive more often, believing that they are being watched. ”
“If this behavior is acquired, then we can learn relieve excessive anxiety of such people – for example, give them the ability to view many faces with different positions of the eyes and tilting his head, and then check the results of his observations “- concluded Professor Clifford.
