A test of equilibrium theory: Visual interaction in relation to orientation, distance and sex of interactants

Abstract

In a test of an equilibrium theory of social interaction, (1) females were found to engage in more visual interaction than males; (2) while a linear relationship between distance and amount of “looking” and average glance length Was obtained for males at two orientations, a curvilinear relationship between these variables was found for females in a face-to-face orientation, and (3) Ss, especially females, maintained longer glances when face to face. © 1972, The Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.