A study conducted in 1989 by Kellerman, Lewis, and Laird explored how eye contact between strangers could lead to emotional closeness — even romantic feelings.
In this research, two opposite-sex strangers were asked to gaze into each other’s eyes for two minutes. Interestingly, in some cases, this was enough to spark intense emotional reactions and even feelings resembling romantic attraction.
The effect of eye contact has been linked to a chemical called phenylethylamine (PEA), a natural stimulant that the body releases in emotionally charged moments. It’s sometimes associated with the early stages of romantic love.
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Psychologists have also observed that strong eye contact can feel intense or even unsettling. In fact, prolonged eye gazing has been found to trigger emotional states similar to fear or excitement, depending on the context.
Despite this, research shows that in regular conversations, people tend to make eye contact only about 30–60% of the time. Longer or more sustained eye contact is relatively rare and may feel uncomfortable, especially with someone we’re shy around or emotionally invested in.
The connection between eye contact and emotional intensity continues to be a topic of interest in psychological studies. While it can influence feelings in certain situations, it’s only one part of the complex and personal nature of human relationships.
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