What happens if you stare at someone?

In many cultures, such as that of the indigenous Pemon of Venezuela, staring at another person is a sign of disrespect.For others it is the opposite, it is clear that you do not hide anything.

To shy people For example, they have a hard time keeping their eyes and usually lower their eyes; when we are in love, we even feel a tingling in the stomach that makes us smile and look away.

For us the phrase "the eyes are the mirror of the soul" is very clear: you say with your eyes what many Sometimes you can't say with your mouth.

But looking, watching, looking closely at another person's eyes for 10 minutes...would make us feel weird, not to say bad.Are you still reading to see what it is?

A strange study: What happens when you stare at someone?

A group of researchers from the Italian University of Urbino asked the question that gives title to our article, What if you stare at someone for a while?

To do this, they recruited 40 volunteers, all unknown to each other, who had to work in pairs.

experiment was simple: sit one in front of another, in a room in the middle of the light, and staring at each other for 10 minutes.

Another group had to stay in another room, alone, also in gloom, staring at the wall.

After 10 minutes, all volunteers were asked to fill out a questionnaire that should reflect what they experienced during the exercise.

The results were amazing: Everyone who saw other people said feeling very strange things , like for example, that the colors around were more intense, or that the sounds were amplifying or disappearing, and that time seemed to pass more slowly.

What happens if you stare at someone?

But what is most amazing Cause was that many pointed out that when you look at someone the face of the other person is altered.90% of the volunteers indicated that the face of the interlocutor had been deformed, and the 7 5% said it had changed so much that it looked like a monster .

50% saw their own features on the face of the other person, and 15% said they recognized the features of a loved one.

What if we look at a mirror? What happens when you stare at someone and you are yourself?

The same researchers also did an experiment similar to the previous one in which they asked 50 people to see their own reflection fixedly in a mirror.

The interesting thing was that they also reported strange experiences, very similar to altered states of consciousness .

In this case, 66% of the participants saw remarkable deformations in his own face , 18% the face of one of his parents, 28% saw an unknown person, 48% monsters, another 18% saw animal features and finally 28% archetypal images , like a child or an old woman.

A curious fact: everyone suffered a dissociative effect of identity, and said that they had the feeling that another person was watching them from the mirror , even many began to give signs of anxiety and real fear.

What happens if you stare at someone?

Everyone also reported feeling uneasy and out of control.

Is there any explanation for these visions?

Researchers explain these "hallucinations" as a result of "consciousness returning to reality." This means that in an exercise like this, the mind begins to wander, and when it returns At present (after a period of dissociation), you need time to adapt so that your perceptions return to normal.

This was verified by contrasting the experiences of the participants who only saw the wall, since they did not they had a focal point to fix their eyes, but their eyes could move all the time, which prevented them from reaching that dissociative state of consciousness.

On the other hand, already at the end of the 18th century, Erasmus Darwin discovered that if we stare at an object, its color may disappear from our sight.If you want to practice, take a sheet of white paper, place a circle of two centimeters in diameter and stare at it.You will see that the color red it will fade away until it disappears.This is known as Troxler's fading effect .

This effect is explained by neuronal adaptation, because when you stop receiving stimuli your activity decreases, and This is how there is a change in our perception.

When we stare, we do not change the stimulus and our brain "gets bored", so it begins to "disconnect" from reality and we stop perceiving the face in front of us as a whole, then producing a sort of "montage" of features, of totally random collage that generates a grotesque, or at least different, image.

That montage is just our brain's attempt to fill the gaps that do not reach through l in view, using experiences, conjectures or own expectations.That is why not everyone sees the same or suffer the same distortions.

If you dare to do this experiment at home, keep in mind that it will be more Effective if the room is dimly lit and you get closer to the mirror or the other person.And if you can, don't blink.

Have you been interested in discovering what happens when you stare at someone? Discover also:

-Scopaesthesia: And you? Do you feel the looks?

Images: Jerry , malloreigh , Becca , Matthew Rice

Comments

This factor is No. 1 when trying to maintain and improve your social relationships

One of the fundamental factors for all human beings, after solving the most elementary needs such as food and housing, is that of human relationships; and that is one of the senses of the famous phrase of Aristotle that defined us as "political animals", that is, animals that need to live in society. That is why it is so important to maintain and improve your social relationships , something that is not always easy to achieve, especially if you do not know this simple rule that we will talk about next. This factor is No.1 when trying to maintain and improve your social relationships Emma Seppala is Scientific Director of Research and Education for Compassion and Altruism at Stanford University, and author of several books on human relations and the elements that favor or hinder these interactions. For example, in terms of the most basic relations-and at the same time complex-between humans, such as those between men and women, Seppala does not agree with the psycholo...

10 things you didn't know about living in space

Is there extraterrestrial life in the galaxy? It is almost certain that yes, although with certainty we can only affirm it on the surroundings of the Earth, where since the end of the 1950s there have been human beings coming and going in different space vehicles, or spending more or less long stays in stations and Space labs like the Skylab , the Mir station or the ISS . We invite you to know some curious facts about how is to live in an environment "far from this world", although not so much. 10 things you didn't know about living in space 1.In the International Space Station (ISS, by its acronym in English) you can see the sunrise 16 times a day .This can be fun at first, make you feel like the Little Prince in its asteroid, but it can eventually confuse you around the development of time and daily activities. The schedule at the ISS is based on Greenwich Mean Time (an intermediate hour between Londr it is, Houston and Moscow) and it is about performing a ...

What's under your nails ...

If you are one of those who pay attention to details, you may have noticed that those who are going to participate in a surgical intervention, after thoroughly washing their hands, still put on gloves.Why? Because there is a point in our hands, or rather, ten points, in which microbes and bacteria can protect themselves from the attack of the fiercest and most effective antiseptics: under your ones. What is under your some... A great revolution in health, not only at the hospital level but also in everyday life, was the discovery that keep your hands clean , wash them before eating, handling food, children or sick people, after going to the bathroom or doing field work, or before treating an injury or injury, could make a big difference between staying healthy or getting sick . Washing your hands with plenty of water and soap eliminates most of the bacteria and microorganisms that can harm us, but this disinfection work almost never achieves its purpose under your nails. I...

How do we notice the flavors in the tongue? A myth to overcome

At school we learned that we have taste receptors that help us identify the different flavors in the language; made us draw a diagram with regions marked according to the taste to which it corresponded; bitter on the back, sweet on the front, salty on the sides and in the front and sour on the sides on the back, however, as when we were told that Pluto was the ninth planet in the Solar System and this idea changed with Over the years and new discoveries, it turns out that the way we notice the flavors in the language is not as simple as they told us. How do we notice the flavors in the language? A myth to overcome Where does the taste sensation come from? This is given by a chemical stimulation that occurs in the taste receptor cells that, when grouped in a bouquet, become taste buds.There are three types of papillae that help us identify the flavors in the tongue and acquire their name depending on the way in which their cells are grouped: goblet, foliate and fungiform. S...

8 more foods that put you in GOOD HUMOR

In a previous article we gave you a list of 5 foods that put us in a good mood, and we talked about the benefits of apples, blueberries, chocolate ice cream and milk and cereals to improve your mood. We want to expand that list with these other foods, so you get not only the necessary nutrients but the chemical combination in your brain that will make you feel much better, happier. 8 foods more that make you HAPPY Avocado This wonderful and delicious American fruit (eaten in salads, like tomatoes) contains a good number of vitamins and minerals that activate the neurotransmitters responsible for controlling animal balance; magnesium and vitamin B6 , for example, help produce serotonin, a substance that functions as a neurotransmitter and balances mood. Scientists consider that this substance has influence not only on our mood, but also on social behavior, appetite, digestion, sleep, memory and sexual desire and performance. Oatmeal Of course, it is a cereal, but spe...

Is there the most intelligent dog breed?

We are sure that for you, your dog is undoubtedly the smartest in the world .The one that brings you the most joy, the one that surprises you the most and the one that accommodates the emptiness of your life to fill them with that nobility that sometimes people do not bring. Now, sometimes, there are deep debates about which races are the most intelligent, the fastest they learn.There are those who say that In general, small dogs, and even those lacking a particular breed, are brilliant and most ingenious creatures. Natural survivors. Others, on the other hand, tend to defend that no animal is like a German shepherd, a golden or a Border collie, however, specialists in canine psychology such as Julie Hetcht, who publishes his work in the journal "Scientific American", gives us a different opinion that is worth having in account. We invite you to discover it with us. Is there the most intel dog breed igente? We are sure that you will be anxious to know the re...

What are solstices? | Celebrated since ancient times

The meaning of the word solstice is literally, Sun still or Sun stopped and they have been studying since ancient times. There are two solstices, the winter one in which the sun reaches the zenith at noon on the tropic of Capricorn ; and the summer one, which reaches it over the tropics of Cancer .These are the moments when the Sun reaches its highest or lowest apparent height in the sky, which causes the hours of sunshine to vary, resulting in days with More or less hours of sunshine.Now that you know what solstices are, we advise you to continue reading these lines to discover the most important curiosities about them. Solstices have had great significance since ancient times., our ancestors have been fascinated by this phenomenon and have always studied it with admiration. If you want to know the festivities and celebrations that have been made related to solstices throughout history, this article is made for you .In addition to all the mystery that surrounds all this day, in w...

The rare condition of elephantiasis

If I tell you that there is a disease called elephantiasis surely you will end up thinking that, by name, something will have to do with elephants.Well, no, we will not talk about people with a tube in the nose or ears, but it's just as curious, maybe even more. Lymphatic filariasis, a rare disease Elephantiasis is also called lymphatic filariasis and is a disease that especially affects the genitals and lower extremities.More specifically it is an inflammatory process caused by parasites or bacteria such as spirochetes or treponemas and that is transmitted through mosquito bites. And what causes this sting? For the size of the genitals to grow in such a way that the affected people cannot even walk.Incredible! Bacteria very common in tropical countries Generally, the bacteria that cause elephantiasis are common in tropical countries and people suffering from this disease usually end up with serious bone malformations due to inflammation that occurs in the body. ...

Can you predict personality according to eye movement?

According to the popular wisdom, the eyes are the mirror of the soul and therefore are not able to lie.It also speaks about knowing the true intentions of others just by reading the look, because being so close to the mind , expresses feelings and sensations without being able to master it.And, according to scientists, there is something else you can know through it: it is possible to predict personality with an element as unexpected as eye movement How? We give you the keys to this curious study that you could take advantage of. Predict personality with eye movement Before approaching someone to establish some kind of connection, now be friendly, romantic or work, we usually perform as a kind of scan in search of signs that help us predict personality .It is a way to anticipate, to know how receptive they can be with our presence, or if it is correct, or not, to establish direct contact.But according to a recent study, there is something else you should look at: eye movement. ...

The most magical plant in Europe

When Christmas is approaching, the houses are filled with plants that we usually do not usually have in them.To the now traditional Poinsettia, others are joined for centuries that have a special consideration like pine or holly.However, among them the most magical plant in Europe stands out: the Muerdago. The most magical plant in Europe Do you remember the Asterix comics in which the Druid Panoramix went to the Forest of the Carnutes to collect mistletoe with his golden sickle? It was based on a real tradition .The bite was considered by the druids and sorcerers of Europe, for centuries, as a magic plant. Muerdago is a plant that grows semi-parasitic in the tops of some trees .The Gauls , guided by their druids, performed ceremonies under the holm oaks loaded with bite, as it was considered a magical plant for its medicinal powers.The Celts , however, only believed that it had magical powers if it grew on top of the oaks .These, in addition to their pharma...

Science Daily Online

Search This Blog