When Our Gaze Is a Physical Force

Extramission means “sending out,” and the extramission theory is the belief that vision is a force emitted from the eye. It is an intuitive understanding of vision common among children that persists among many adults.

In contrast, the modern visual theory is called “intromission,” and is based on the notion that vision results from light entering the eyes.

The power of gaze appears in stories and myths throughout the centuries.

• Medusa turned people to stone with her gaze.
• The catoblepas and the basilisk, both described by Pliny the Elder, could kill with the single glance.
• In Shakespeare’s Venus and Adonis, Venus complains of the pain caused by Adonis’ glance.
• As a cultural reference, we can also mention the Jedi master or Superman.

• It reveals where a person is focusing their attention, and, when directed at us, it can have a strong emotional effect.
• Gaze can play a role in social organization, with a direct gaze demonstrating social dominance and gaze aversion indicating passivity.
• Eye contact can elicit alertness and bodily awareness, while indifference or aversion to eye contact can signal emotional or neurological disorders.
• When we direct our gaze at something or someone, others who notice subconsciously direct their gaze in the same manner. We can take advantage of this tendency to deliberately influence the gaze of others.