Congruence between the Indicative and Communicative Functions of Eye Contact in Interpersonal Relations*

Abstract

An experiment is reported which was designed to test, with posed stimulus materials, the degree of congruence between certain indicative functions of eye contact and the communicative value of this nonverbal cue. The hypothesized congruence in regard to the variables of attraction and interpersonal tension was strongly confirmed. The expectation that inferences drawn by female judges would differ from those drawn by male judges tended not to receive support. The results do suggest, however, that females are more accurate in judging the amount of eye contact present in the stimulus materials.