Ever found yourself captivated by your own image during a Zoom call? You're not alone. Let's delve into the psychology behind this phenomenon and explore strategies to keep our focus where it truly belongs during virtual meetings.
Humans+Robots
We’re on video chat all day long. Here’s what it’s doing to our brains
- Social distancing measures to combat the spread of coronavirus have made video chatting more essential than ever before
- For many of us, it’s the only form of social support we have
- Experts say we should take advantage of it
- Several studies show that for kids, video chatting doesn’t seem to have the same negative effects as using other online tools
- But lately, I find myself turning the camera more and more in the direction of my son – seeing my straight-out-of-the-shower hair and makeup-less face on the screen stresses me out
- If we have to spend the next few months in social isolation, only connecting via screens, what will that do to us psychologically? Will we become more conceited? More apt to perform? More self-critical?
What can you do if staring at yourself on a video screen can prompt negative feelings and bad habits?
Gebben suggests fiddling with your on-screen setup as a good place to start
- If there’s a way to minimize your own face, it might be worth doing so
Try asking open-ended questions about how your conversation partner is faring during quarantine
In a group chat setting, attempt to draw out the quieter members by saying their names or directing questions at them
- During large-group Zoom calls, switch to speaker view so you can focus on the person who’s talking instead of yourself
