Videoconferencing has rapidly become a central feature of modern work, yet its psychological effects are still poorly understood. In this study, we examine “hypergaze”—the experience of being stared at simultaneously by multiple colleagues during video meetings. In many animal species, including humans, sustained direct eye gaze is a powerful social signal often associated with threat, dominance, or social evaluation.

We propose that hypergaze may trigger ancient threat-detection mechanisms that contribute to burnout in modern workplaces. This suggests an evolutionary mismatch: technologies such as videoconferencing may unintentionally activate psychological systems that evolved for very different social environments.

In a study of 256 participants, hypergaze significantly predicted burnout alongside several social rank and competition-related variables. Negative workplace gossip mediated the relationship between hypergaze and burnout, while perceived social rank moderated it.

These findings highlight how rapidly evolving communication technologies may outpace our evolved social design. Understanding the evolutionary roots of responses to videoconferencing may be essential for addressing the growing problem of workplace burnout in the digital era. Find the paper here: https://rdcu.be/e8boD