The Window of the Soul (Pupils)

Dual function (Light and emotion)

The eyes are considered a central point of the body that exposes our true feelings. The pupils, in particular, offer signals that are impossible to fake.

Their main and best known function is to regulate the amount of light entering the eye: they dilate (enlarge) in the dark and contract (shrink) when there is a lot of light.

However, this is not their only function. Pupil size also changes involuntarily according to our attitude and emotional state.

They are a direct response of the limbic system (the emotional brain) and, therefore, a very honest indicator.

Dilated pupils (Interest, excitement, attraction).

When a person is enthusiastic, happy or experiencing excitement, their pupils tend to dilate.

This occurs, for example, when we look at stimulating things. In the context of romantic relationships, pupils are a reliable indicator.

If a woman (or a man) is intimately interested in the person she is talking to, her pupils will dilate significantly.

Although the other person may not consciously notice this change, their unconscious brain often picks up on this signal of interest.

Studies have shown that people find the same photo of a person more attractive if their pupils have been digitally edited to appear larger, which is why this technique is often used in advertising.

Constricted pupils (anger, disinterest).

Conversely, when someone is angry, has a negative attitude or is disinterested, their pupils will contract.

They become small, sometimes described as a "beaded look." This contraction is associated with a negative state of mind. In a professional context, this is useful.

If you are presenting a proposal to a client and notice that, at the mention of price, your pupils constrict (assuming the ambient light has not changed), it is a strong signal that the reaction is negative.

So, before continuing in a conversation, look into your interlocutor's eyes and pay attention to variations in pupil size.

Summary

The eyes expose our true feelings. Pupils offer signals that are impossible to fake, as they have a dual function: regulating light and reacting to emotions.

When a person is enthusiastic, happy or experiencing excitement, their pupils tend to dilate. This is a reliable indicator of interest, especially in romantic contexts.

Conversely, when someone is angry, has a negative attitude or is disinterested, their pupils will constrict. This constriction is associated with a negative state of mind.