👁️
Eyescontext-dependent reliabilityobvious

Eye Contact Avoidance

Deliberately avoiding eye contact by looking away, down, or to the side.

AnxietySubmissionDeceptionDiscomfort

Visual Description

Eyes dart away, focus on objects, floor, or look past the person.

Duration: variableVisibility: obvious

How to Observe

  • Consider cultural background
  • Note if avoidance increases with specific topics
  • Look for accompanying stress signals

Context Matters

  • May indicate respect in some cultures
  • Common in neurodivergent individuals
  • Can indicate shame or guilt
  • Sometimes indicates deep thinking

Common Misinterpretations

  • Automatically assumed to mean lying
  • May be cultural respect, not avoidance
  • Could indicate processing, not discomfort

Cultural Variations

Westernsame

Often seen as evasive or anxious

Japaneseopposite

Sign of respect and politeness

Indigenous Australianopposite

Expected behavior showing respect

Quick Info

Primary Signal
Anxiety
Body Region
👁️Eyes
Reliability
context-dependent
Duration

variable

Visibility

obvious

Opposite Signals

Associated Emotions