Eye contact functions as the equivalent of physical proximity

Evidence

More recently Michael Argyle and Janet Dean (1965) have reported that eye contact serves a number of functions-one of the most important being a quest for feedback during social interaction, as well as a signaling that the communication channel is open. In addition, eye contact may be seen as a component of intimacy and is, in a significant way, the equivalent of physical proximity. — Lyn H. Lofland, World of Strangers_ Order and Action in…, 1198

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Physical contact humanizes opponents and enables depolarization — Didier Caluwaerts et al., Deliberation and Polarization: A…, 123