KINESICS-Eye contacts including gazing, glancing an eye blocking

KINESICS-Eye contacts including gazing, glancing an eye blocking

Although eyes are a part of the face and can be read along with many other facial expressions, they have a crucial role in body language and hence, merit special treatment. Owing to the critical importance of eye movements and their impact on facial expressions, this area has developed into a science called „oculesics‟ – the study of eye language and its grammar. Following features of the oculesics highlight their role:

 Eyes have been referred to as „the mirror of the soul‟. They express the innermost thoughts of a person. Knowing them by looking at the eyes can be a very rewarding skill and ability.
 Eyes react instantaneously to any external stimuli. They react faster than other parts of the body, Actions, and contents of speech can be „faked‟ quickly but it is very difficult to „fake‟ the expression of eyes.
 Eyes also play a significant role in execution, action taking and collecting feedback. Eyes provide feedback that is instantaneous. (76 % of the sensory feedback happens through seeing)
 Eyeballs produce a great emotional impact from the way they affect the area of the face around the eyes.
 Eye contact is also important in oral presentations – confidence of the presenter is judged from his eyes; eye contact with the audience is also required for keeping their interest alive during a presentation. Collective eye contact is also critical to the successful running of meetings, seminars etc.
 Eyes of a painting give an accurate picture of what it communicates – sadness, happiness, hunger, desire, anxiety or contentment.
 Various dance forms especially Indian dances emphasize eye movements a great deal to express the theme and the mood of the dance.