Averting the gaze disengages the environment and facilitates remembering

Arthur M. Glenberg; Jennifer L. Schroeder; David A. Robertson

doi:10.3758/BF03211385

Averting the gaze disengages the environment and facilitates remembering

Arthur M. Glenberg, Jennifer L. Schroeder, David A. Robertson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

280 Scopus citations

Abstract

When people are asked moderately difficult questions, they often avert their gazes. We report five experiments in which we documented this phenomenon. They demonstrate that (1) the frequency of gaze aversion is related to the difficulty of cognitive processing, (2) this behavior cannot be due solely to demand characteristics or embarrassment, and (3) the behavior is functional: Averting the gaze improves performance. We speculate that averting the gaze helps people to disengage from environmental stimulation and thereby enhances the efficiency of cognitive processing directed by nonenvironmental stimulation.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	651-658
Number of pages	8
Journal	Memory and Cognition
Volume	26
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03211385
State	Published - Jul 1998
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)

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AB - When people are asked moderately difficult questions, they often avert their gazes. We report five experiments in which we documented this phenomenon. They demonstrate that (1) the frequency of gaze aversion is related to the difficulty of cognitive processing, (2) this behavior cannot be due solely to demand characteristics or embarrassment, and (3) the behavior is functional: Averting the gaze improves performance. We speculate that averting the gaze helps people to disengage from environmental stimulation and thereby enhances the efficiency of cognitive processing directed by nonenvironmental stimulation.

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Averting the gaze disengages the environment and facilitates remembering

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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