Interpreting eye movements
At the gym a counselor explained what eye movements mean. He said things like, “looking up and to the left means the listener/speaker is trying to visualize something and looking up and to the right indicates one is accessing their memory. I found the conversation intriguing.
I haven’t been trained in interpreting eye movement so what follows is my opinion.
Four eye movements
#1. Looking up is generally the direction we look when we are thinking. You can’t tell if the person is thinking of the truth or making up a lie.
#2. Focused, relaxed eye contact indicates engagement and is generally good. Staring is bad and may be an attempt to intimidate.
#3. I’ve heard people say that we are looking within for an answer while looking down. I tend to interpret looking down more negatively. Perhaps it indicates guilt. Having said that, I notice that I frequently look down when I’m mulling things over.
#4. I interpret looking away when someone is responding in a negative light. I think the person is being evasive or perhaps hiding something.
Leaders need healthy skepticism because others frequently tell us what we want to hear and not what they really think. In addition, some may work to manipulate leaders for their own personal or professional gain. And of course there are those who out-right lie.
*****
Do you use eye movements to help you interpret the message or motives of others?
What eye movements do you watch for and what do they mean?
Dear Dan,
It has been said that eyes are the reflection of one’s personality. So, even it’s movements speak a lot.
I do use others’ eye movement to judge their motive, attitude and thinking poattern. As per my observation, I have found that a person generally looks upward when he is trying to recall as it generally happens when students are writing their papers.
If a person is maintaining continuous eye contact, we can interpret he has guts and a command on his communication.
Similarly, if a person randomly moves his eyes and focus is not fixed, we can interpret him as suspicious and has doubts on the communication that is goin on.
Human beings are social animal and they interact with many people in their life on daily basis. So, if he develops a good sense of interpretation of others eye movement, he can easily check his personality, motive, and intention.
Ritesh,
Thanks for leaving your first comment on Leadership Freak.
I hadn’t thought about what random eye movements might mean. Thanks for tossing that one out.
I look forward to hearing more from you.
Cheers,
Dan
My eldest daughter used to believe that looking up and to the left the person was lying. That is until I asked her if the person was normal or reverse ordered. I’m left-handed and reverse ordered, so what is standard for a normal right-handed person (as you face them) is reverse for me , so looking up and to the left, for me, is accessing my memories, up and to the right is trying to construct something I have not seen before. Looking sideways (towards ears) is accessing sounds, again remembered and constructed, and looking down is accessing emotions and logical sequences.
I find this fascinating. As an NLP Trainer, Coach and professional negotiator I use the translation of eye movements across a number of contexts, from the Coaching room to the negotiating table to the training room. I tend to the belief that this is useful as a GUIDE and as CLUES rather than as set in stone.
Over the years, I’ve also moved away from the old belief that many hold of being able to detect “lies” simply by watching the eyes as my experience has shown that, whilst it can be an interesting tool, it is still only ONE tool and should be used alongside others and in context.
I have some additional resource on the subject if anyone is interested and would like to receive a pdf file (I hope this is not crossing any lines here). Perhaps the author could let me know if its ok for me to include my e-mail address for further correspeondence?
Great post – as always.
Ralph,
Thanks for dropping in and sharing your insights.
You are very courteous to check on any protocols regarding links and emails. The Leadership Freak community is all about sharing insights and conversation. Feel free to leave links to relevant information or your email if you so choose.
I hope most conversations play out here on the blog for the benefit of the entire LF community.
So far we have not had trouble with people selling stuff here.
Best regards,
Dan
Dan and Litesh:
Eye movement is something that has been of interest to me since it is something I am forced to focus on. You see, my eyes drift up and to the right and my periferal vision has compensated so well for this that I do not know when it is happening. For that reason I have to consciously remind myself to refocus periodically by looking down then looking back up to ensure that I am looking straight ahead. I have even asked friends to give me signals (like a finger click) to tell me when it is happening. I have had to literally retrain my brain.
As I got older and started to travel internationally and deal with diverse cultures in the workplace I learned more about eye movement and culture. In some parts of the world, it is impolite to invoke the “Western” directness or “commanding” direct focus. In other cultures, looking down is a sign of respect. Additionally, some scientific studies have also shown that in cultures that read and learn in the inverse direction from ours have their brains wired differently and the directions of eye movement reflect that.
So while eye contact and eye movement may give us non verbal communication clues as leaders, they are only clues. It is up to us to interpret them, and as with all clues they are only one piece of the whole puzzle that leads us to an answer.
Joan,
Wow, great comment. Love how you bring in both personal tendencies and cultural differences. As usual, your comment enhanced the conversation.
I love the use of the term “clues” when it comes to interpreting eye movements.
Best Regards,
Dan
Thanks for pointing out one of the physiologic variations that we need to respect with regards to eye contact Joan.
Another variation can be even more intensely true for victims of trauma, where eye contact may be interpreted as a threat or worse. People with mental health/illness issues also have challenges in this area.
Joan, you observations about the cultural perspectives reminded me of a number of different web links that speak to conducting business internationally. Here is one decent one: http://www.cyborlink.com/ which covers the A, B, Cs of appearance, behavior and communication. On that level, eye contact has many nuances and of course additional perspectives across genders as well.
I would always be cautious to focus only on the eyes. As you mentioned in last Tuesday’s post more than 93% of communication is non-verbal. An individual’s facial expression and body language “says” loads about their motives, mindset, temperament, etc.
An individual could develop the ability to guard the reactions their eyes might reveal but to do that while contolling the rest of the body at the same time would be much more difficult. At that point, a clenched fist, crosed arms, frown, or some other body movement would give them away.
Bobby,
Thanks for your caution. I agree completely.
You might want to double check the 93% reference. I was actually saying the research is probably not accurate…http://leadershipfreak.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/email-is-a-monster/
However, that minor correction does NOT invalidate the legitimate caution you offer.
Best,
Dan
Dear Dan,
Looking up indicates future or foward looking , looking down indicates recalling or pondering past and and straight look indicates present looking. It can be observed. Management thinkers usually look up, hostorians look down. And the one who looks up and donw frequently generally seems to be balanced. But those who look in all direction, usually are directionless and lack focus and vison in their lives.
Eye movement indicates your nature, relation and interest. Generally looking into eyes shows confidence and interest. Looking sideways while talking indicates disinterest, lack of knowledge, ignorance or unfamiliarity of topic. Gazing of course seems to be more intimidating.So gazing is self centric. looking into eye indicates more sensibility. But there are monsters whose eye movement can not be interpreted correctly. Making eyes wide opened usually indicates self protection and intimidation and try to keep distance from others.
They are perfectionist in eye movement. They will look into eye in such a manner tht it seems they have right intention, but they do not. Robbers, drug addicts, smokers come in this category. But, once perfected this skills, it is very easy to make out the intention, interest and nature of a person.
Ajay,
Yet another perspective on interpreting eye movements. Thats what makes blogging so much fun.
I appreciate your added input since you come from an Easter vs. Western culture.
In my own experience, I do a lot of forward thinking and you are right, when I do, I lift my head up… very interesting.
Best to you,
Dan
Ajay regularly comments on Leadership Freak. I’ve posted his bio and picture at http://leadershipfreak.wordpress.com/ajay-gupta
Hi Dan and everybody
Now that I know its acceptable, I invite anybody interested in learning more to send me an e-mail to ralph@ralphwatson.com and I’ll be delighted to send you some further resource material.You can also find more on NLP at my website http://www.ralphwatson.com.
No selling and no network marketing.
Dan, please keep your great stuff coming.
Dear Dan,
Interpreting eye movements. This is an interesting subject… wide also.
The first thing I’d like to say is that: before going into any interpretation, look at the situation. Different situations might suggest different interpretations and I’ll give an example later.
So, about this interpreting thing I think many people and currant of thoughts worked on the subject and I’m simply going to write you down some of the interpretation you can make. This is not my own work or belief it’s just a copy paste translation from a NLP book (not written in English) I got.
According to NLP, eyes positions are giving us the way we treat information. And with a bit of habits we can know if the person in front of us can is thinking in images, sounds or feelings.
Eye position Interpretation
Up Right the person creates images from situations or things
that did not yet happen. Ex: what looks like a pink rabbit?
Up Left the person sees images of past events or remembers
things. Ex: what was the shape of your desk?
Front Right the person creates sounds, words, voices. Ex: How do
you pronounce ….?
Front Left the person remembers sounds and words. Ex: What
sounds like your mobile phone bell?
Down Right that’s the movement when the person is under the
influence of feelings or when she perceive a taste, an
odour.
Down Left Internal dialogue: the person is internally speaking,
questioning herself. Ex: how to solve this problem?
Now the personal example I was talking about before and the importance of the situation.
I had a professional meeting. I was in the office of the other person. We were sitting around a table. My interlocutor had closely behind him the wall and I was sitting 10 cm from the wall on my left side. Let’s say that wasn’t very comfortable to look at the wall so close from my eyes. So, most of the times when I had to remember things my look jump through the window => eye position: Up Right. And I wasn’t creating images from situations that did not happen!
Cai,
Thank you for leaving your first comment and for adding so much value to this conversation.
Since I’m a learning on this topic I’ll simply add that I tend to be a “feeler” so I do look down while working to solve problems. Of course I also read and stare off in the distance while I think about what I’m reading.
Best to you,
Dan
Interesting post.
I think we should all be VERY careful before we start making conclusions based on eye movement/pattern observations.
Ajay makes a good point – different types of thinkers will access different parts of their minds, and likely will exhibit different eye movements, but this doesn’t necessarily tell you anything conclusive.
If I were speaking to you and you noted that my eyes didn’t focus on any one point, I made intermittent eye contact, and at times I would appear to stare into space, what would you conclude?
Now, what if you knew that I’m an extremely visual, intuitive (patterns & relationships), and future-thinking person?
What might be interpreted (rightly or wrongly so) as dishonesty and shifty-ness for one person could be full honest engagement for another – and it can look the same!
Body language can tell us a lot, so let’s be careful about interpreting what we see.
I’d even suggest that, instead of assuming that xyz means this or that, observe people when you know they’re acting confortable and authentically (which will probably look differently for different people), then pay attention for when they’re acting differently…and use it as a starting point for gathering information, not a conclusion regarding motive or intent.
Tim,
I’m with you. And, personally, I’ll double the caution since I have no training in this area.
Love the illustration of “dishonesty cp shyness.” Excellent point. In addition, I love your sentence: “starting point not a conclusion.”
Thanks for adding value!
Cheers,
Dan
While I think your fourth point is true, I don’t think we can generally interpret it as lying.
“#4. I interpret looking away when someone is responding in a negative light. I think the person is being evasive or perhaps hiding something.”
Men often look away when talking about feelings because we’re conditioned to keep those to ourselves (psychiatrists have you lie on a couch looking away from them), but it doesn’t mean the answers are deceptive, just painful.
Men often look away when admitting wrongdoing or mistakes.
Siddhartha,
Well said my friend. Thank you for expanding my thinking on this. Several others have rightly indicated we should only use eye movements as indicators but not conclusion makers.
Best to you,
Dan
Dear Dan,
Looking up indicates future or foward looking , looking down indicates recalling or pondering past and and straight look indicates present looking. It can be observed. Management thinkers usually look up, hostorians look down. And the one who looks up and donw frequently generally seems to be balanced. But those who look in all direction, usually are directionless and lack focus and vison in their lives.
Eye movement indicates your nature, relation and interest. Generally looking into eyes shows confidence and interest. Looking sideways while talking indicates disinterest, lack of knowledge, ignorance or unfamiliarity of topic. Gazing of course seems to be more intimidating.So gazing is self centric. looking into eye indicates more sensibility. Making eyes wide opened usually indicates self protection and intimidation and try to keep distance from others. Reading eye movement is a skill and once it is perfected, it is very easy to make out the intention, interest and nature of a person.
Very interesting analysis from all, including Cai Wei Ye.
I also think the eye movement depends on the personality – my work environment is dominated by Left Brainers who tend to give “just the facts” so they look to the right almost without fail in discussions. I am a Right Brained dominant personality and tend to give “creative” answers even when asked what I had for breakfast, so I naturally look to the left a lot – NOT because I’m lying, but because I tend to look for unique ways to respond.
As with any situation, there is no manual for everyone – but I do find each of my employees has their tendencies that through time and interaction, can be interpreted through their eye glance habits, such as suggested above.
Thanks Dan for the fun discussion today.
Adam,
Nicely said. One of the great pleasures of blogging is the perspective one gains from listening to other perspectives.
Thank you for leaving your thoughts. I look forward to reading more.
Cheers,
Dan
I’d be interested in the group’s thoughts as to the impact that real time video communications will have in the business environment.
Hi I’ve got a question. What does it mean when you think about your eye movements. For example, I’ll be telling a story and ill purposely make my eyes move around to make myself look normal. I know it sounds extremely weird but i can’t help it. Especially when I’m in public places i hate to look around because it looks my eye movement are “fake”… Or when im talking to someone. I look at they’re eye movements and they don’t seem to acknowledge what they’re eyes are doing. And when it’s my turn to talk i can’t think about the story I’m telling because I’m to focused on my eye moments. If you know about this PLEASE tell me how i can get over this. And if not. Try and do some research. It will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Great to see this thread is still ticking along nicely. Perhaps I can add some more of the NLP perspective for Steve?
Neuroscience has already given us lots on the interpretation of the ‘eye accessing’ clues (and thay are only that – clues). As to the ‘fake’ bit, well, that’s another great thread isn’t it?
research has indicated that our brain processes around 3 Million (!) bits of information every second but that we can only process about 7 (yes, seven) at a conscious level. The rest is done outside of conscious awareness. That’s why the eye movements can be so useful – because it most often happens before we know anything about it and before we can DO anything about it. However, with a great deal of practice, it can be possible to ‘fake’ them so that another person gets a false clue. I often use this when negotiating so that the other person in the cycle gets false clues as to my proposal (but only when its ethical to do so).
I’ll restate my earlier offer to send anybody a short piece on the eye movements and internal representation if they e-mail me at ralph@ralphwatson.com – several people responded last time.
My advice? Keep watching; keep an open mind and keep practising.
Great threadstill Dan. Love your stuff.
Ralph
Ralph,
Thanks so much for jumping in. I respect your perspective and appreciate your generosity.
Cheers,
Dan