In some groups, direct eye contact is considered a sign of hostility and aggression. Which group is referenced in the material?

In some groups, direct eye contact is considered a sign of hostility and aggression. Which group is referenced in the material?

• A. Some tribes of American Indians
• B. All Asian cultures
• C. Northern Europeans
• D. Sub-Saharan Africans

Answer: (A)

Nonverbal cues, like eye contact, vary widely across cultures. In some groups, direct eye contact can be seen as a sign of hostility or aggression rather than engagement or honesty. The material uses some tribes of American Indians as an example of this perspective, illustrating why a nurse must avoid assuming all eye contact means openness. When communicating across cultures, it’s important to observe and ask about individual preferences, rather than applying a single rule about eye contact to everyone. If unsure, you can politely ask the patient how they prefer to handle eye contact during conversations.

Nonverbal cues, like eye contact, vary widely across cultures. In some groups, direct eye contact can be seen as a sign of hostility or aggression rather than engagement or honesty. The material uses some tribes of American Indians as an example of this perspective, illustrating why a nurse must avoid assuming all eye contact means openness. When communicating across cultures, it’s important to observe and ask about individual preferences, rather than applying a single rule about eye contact to everyone. If unsure, you can politely ask the patient how they prefer to handle eye contact during conversations.