Eye contact

Eye contact occurs when two people or non-human animals look at each other's eyes at the same time.^[1] In people, eye contact is a form of nonverbal communication and can have a large influence on social behavior. Coined in the early to mid-1960s, the term came from the West to often define the act as a meaningful and important sign of confidence and respect.^[2] The customs, meaning, and significance of eye contact can vary greatly between societies, neurotypes, and religions.

The study of eye contact is sometimes known as oculesics.^[3]