A recent psychological investigation has discovered that when individuals are aware of being monitored, it triggers an automatic increase in their sense of being observed, which has important implications for mental health in the community.
A recent psychological investigation has discovered that when individuals are aware of being monitored, it triggers an automatic increase in their sense of being observed, which has important implications for mental health in the community.
A study published in the journal Neuroscience of Consciousness by researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) involved 54 participants to assess how surveillance influences a key aspect of human sensory perception—the ability to recognize another person’s gaze.
The lead author, Associate Professor Kiley Seymour, who specializes in neuroscience and behavior, noted that while previous studies had highlighted how being watched affects conscious behavior, this new research provides the first direct evidence of an involuntary response to being observed.
“We know that CCTV alters our actions, and this is a primary reason why retailers and other entities choose to implement such technology to deter undesirable behavior,” Associate Professor Seymour explained.
“However, our findings show that it’s not just visible behavior that shifts—our brains modify how they process information as well.”
“We found strong evidence that being prominently observed via CCTV significantly affects a natural and involuntary aspect of human sensory perception—the conscious ability to recognize a face.”
“This mechanism has evolved for us to identify others and potential dangers in our surroundings, like predators and fellow humans, and it appears to be heightened when we are under CCTV observation.”
“Participants being observed became significantly more responsive to facial cues almost a second faster than those in the control group, and this heightened sensitivity occurred without their awareness.”
Associate Professor Seymour emphasized that, considering the growing surveillance in society and ongoing discussions regarding privacy reform, the findings indicate a need for a more thorough investigation into how surveillance affects mental processes and overall public health.
“We found a surprising yet concerning result: even though participants reported minimal concerns about being monitored, the effects on fundamental social processing were substantial, highly significant, and unnoticed by them.”
“Quickly identifying faces is crucial for human social interactions. The information we gather from faces, such as gaze direction, helps us understand others’ thoughts and anticipate their actions.”
“We also observe an increased sensitivity to eye contact in various mental health issues, including psychosis and social anxiety disorder, where individuals may have unreasonable beliefs about being watched.”
“While this study specifically targeted unconscious social processes, future research should investigate broader effects on the limbic system, as this could have wider implications for public mental health and the critical nature of privacy.”
