Question

Select the most accurate statement about eye contact.

a. Communicators consider the eyes to be the most accurate predictor of a speaker's true feelings and attitudes.
b. Nonverbal cues, including eye contact, have identical meanings in most cultures.
c. Sustained eye contact signifies fear or stress.
d. Eye contact cannot be learned; it's an innate trait.

Answer 1

Eye contact is not merely an innate trait but rather a learned skill that can be improved. It serves important roles in nonverbal communication, and its proficiency can be developed throughout life.

Step-by-step explanation:

Eye contact is a skill that can be improved with practice, not an innate trait that individuals are born with. While we all have the basic ability to make eye contact, the significance and subtleties associated with it can vary greatly from one culture to another. In many social contexts, direct eye contact signifies engagement and attentiveness, and it plays a vital role in nonverbal communication by helping to build community, establish credibility, and maintain an audience's attention.

Contrary to the claim that eye contact cannot be learned, it is, in fact, an aspect of social behavior that individuals often adjust and refine throughout their lives. This interpersonal skill can be influenced by one's environment and experiences, meaning that proficiency in making appropriate eye contact can certainly be developed over time.