Is Your Gaze Saying ‘Warmth’ or ‘Power’

Vanessa Van EdwardsAbout 2 min readJul 19, 2025Watch original
THE SUMMARYAI-generated

Key Concepts:

  • Default Gaze: An individual's typical pattern of eye contact.
  • Competence/Power Gazing: A type of gaze associated with conveying authority and capability.
  • Warmth/Social Gazing: A type of gaze associated with conveying friendliness and connection.
  • Purposeful Gazing: Consciously controlling one's gaze to achieve a desired outcome.

Gazing Patterns and Their Associations

The video discusses how individuals tend to fall into specific patterns of eye contact, referred to as their "default gaze." These patterns are often linked to perceptions of competence/power and warmth/social connection.

  • Competence/Power Gazing: This type of gaze is associated with conveying authority and capability.
  • Warmth/Social Gazing: This type of gaze is associated with conveying friendliness and connection.

Gender and Gazing Defaults

The video suggests that there are often gendered defaults in gazing patterns.

  • Women: Often default to social gazing, which emphasizes warmth and connection.
  • Men: Often default to power gazing, which emphasizes competence and authority.

Eye Contact and Introverts

The video highlights the importance of eye contact for introverts, who may find it challenging to express themselves verbally.

  • Eye Contact as a Communication Tool: Eye contact can serve as a powerful non-verbal communication tool, allowing introverts to convey their message without relying heavily on speech.
  • Non-Verbal Comfort: By focusing on their gaze, introverts can settle into a more comfortable non-verbal mode of communication.

Purposeful Gazing

The video emphasizes that there is no "right" or "wrong" way to gaze. The key is to be purposeful in one's gaze, consciously controlling it to achieve a desired outcome.

  • Conscious Control: The goal is to be aware of one's default gaze and to consciously adjust it to suit the situation and the message one wants to convey.

Conclusion

The main takeaway is that understanding and consciously controlling one's gaze can be a powerful tool for communication, particularly for introverts. By being purposeful in their gazing, individuals can effectively convey competence, warmth, or any other desired message.

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