The Role of Eye-Contact in the Development of Romantic Attraction: Studying Interactive Uncertainty Reduction Strategies during Speed-Dating

The present study employed a real-life speed-dating methodology with three conditions: a face-to-face (FTF) condition, a video-mediated communication (VMC) condition without eye-contact (Skype) and a VMC condition with eye-contact (an Eye-Catcher). The first aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eye-contact on the development of romantic attraction. Second, this study analysed the role of four interactive uncertainty reduction strategies (URSs) in the relationship between eye-contact and romantic attraction, namely (intimacy of) self-disclosure and (intimacy of) question asking. The results revealed no direct effect of eye-contact on romantic attraction. Moreover, there were more (intimate) self-disclosures in conditions with eye-contact, but fewer (intimate) questions asked. These findings suggest that communication conditions with eye-contact result in less information-seeking behaviour, in terms of question asking. However, people share more personal, intimate information about themselves to their interaction partner. Conclusively, eye-contact in initial interactions induces less uncertainty and more intimacy, compared to interactions without eye-contact.