to change someones mind, avoid eye contact

 A new study says it could hinder your ability to be persuasive.
If you’ve ever stared down a persistent salesperson, you know how powerful looking into someone’s eyes can be. But a new study published in Psychological Science finds that, unlike popularly believed, eye contact might make it harder for you to change someone’s mind.

In two experiments, German researchers asked people to watch videos of speakers talking about controversial topics like assisted suicide or nuclear energy.

Listeners who looked the virtual speaker in the eye were less likely to change their opinion to match that of the speaker’s. In effect, eye contact decreased the power of persuasion.

But eye contact doesn’t always mean resisting the hard sell. Listeners in the study who already agreed with the speaker spent more time looking the speaker in the eye. In this case, say the researchers, it’s more comfortable to look someone in the eyes if you agree with them … or “see eye to eye" with them.

In other parts of your life, eye contact can signal that you are open to being approached (like at the bar), or that two people share some level of trust.

But when it comes to persuasion, eye contact is not always a good thing. Keep this in mind when you’re trying to convince your girlfriend that it’s time for a new plasma TV. If you go all salesman on her, you might end up watching the big game in low-def.

How to Read Her Body L

rethinking your beliefs

   Beliefs are firm convictions resulting from your expriences in life. The best leave you feeling positive about yourself, other people, and the world; the worst leave you feeling powerless. identify helpful beliefs, and learn to change those that are not.