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The Elephant in the Zoom

The elephant in the zoom

It’s not just Zoom. Popular video chat platforms have design flaws that exhaust the human mind and body…yet there are easy ways to mitigate their effects to recapture the attention of meeting participants.

By: Wendy Hubbard, Grant Harris, Stevie Pena, PhD, Michael Barbara, PhD

Even as more people are logging onto popular video chat platforms to connect with colleagues, family, and friends during the COVID-19 pandemic, Clicksuasion researchers have a warning for you: those video calls are likely tiring you out.

Prompted by the recent boom in videoconferencing communication, Clicksuasion Labs examined the psychological consequences of spending hours per day on these platforms. Just as “Googling” is something akin to any web search, the term “Zooming” has become ubiquitous and a generic verb to replace videoconferencing. Virtual meetings have skyrocketed, with hundreds of millions happening daily, as social distancing protocols have kept people apart physically.

In the first peer-reviewed article that systematically deconstructs Zoom fatigue from a psychological perspective, published in the journal Technology, Mind and Behavior in February 2021, Bailenson has taken the medium apart and assessed Zoom on its individual technical aspects. He has identified four consequences of prolonged video chats that he says contribute to the feeling commonly known as “Zoom fatigue.”

Bailenson stressed that his goal is not to vilify any particular videoconferencing platform – he appreciates and uses tools like Zoom regularly – yet to highlight how current implementations of videoconferencing technologies are exhausting and to suggest interface changes, many of which are simple to implement. Moreover, he provides suggestions for consumers and organizations on how to leverage the current features of videoconferences to decrease fatigue. “Videoconferencing is a good thing for remote communication, but just think about the medium – just because you can use video doesn’t mean you have to,” Bailenson said. Below are four primary reasons why video chats fatigue humans, according to the study.

FOUR REASONS

1) EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF CLOSE-UP EYE CONTACT COULD BE HIGHLY INTENSE.

Both the amount of eye contact we engage in on video chats, as well as the size of faces on screens is unnatural. In a normal meeting, people will variously be looking at the speaker, taking notes, or looking elsewhere. However, on Zoom calls, everyone is looking at everyone, all the time. A listener is treated nonverbally like a speaker, so even if you don’t speak once in a meeting, you are still looking at faces staring at you. The amount of eye contact is dramatically increased.

Another source of stress is that, depending on your monitor size and whether you’re using an external monitor, faces on videoconferencing calls can appear too large for comfort. “In general, for most setups, if it’s a one-on-one conversation when you’re with coworkers or even strangers on video, you’re seeing their face at a size which simulates a personal space that you normally experience when you’re with somebody intimately,” Bailenson said.

SOLUTION.

Until the platforms change their interface, researchers recommend taking Zoom out of the full-screen option and reducing the size of the Zoom window relative to the monitor to minimize face size and to use an external keyboard to allow an increase in the personal space bubble between oneself and the grid.

2) SEEING YOURSELF DURING VIDEO CHATS CONSTANTLY IN REAL-TIME IS FATIGUING.

Most video platforms show a square of what you look like on camera during a chat. Yet that’s unnatural. Several studies suggest that when you see a reflection of yourself, you are more critical of yourself. Many of us are now seeing ourselves on video chats for many hours every day.

SOLUTION.

Researchers recommend that platforms change the default practice of beaming the video to both self and others when it only needs to be sent to others. In the meantime, users should use the “hide self-view” button, which one could access by right-clicking their own photo. 

3) VIDEO CHATS DRAMATICALLY REDUCE OUR USUAL MOBILITY.

In-person and audio phone conversations allow humans to walk around and move. But with videoconferencing, most cameras have a set field of view, meaning a person is socially expected to generally stay in the same spot. Movement is limited in ways that are not natural. 

SOLUTION.

Researchers recommend people think more about the room they’re videoconferencing in, where the camera is positioned, and whether things like an external keyboard can help create distance or flexibility. For example, an external camera farther away from the screen will allow you to pace and doodle in virtual meetings just like we do in real ones. And of course, turning one’s video off periodically during meetings is a good ground rule to set for groups, just to give oneself a brief nonverbal rest.

4) THE COGNITIVE LOAD IS MUCH HIGHER IN VIDEO CHATS.

Researchers note that in regular face-to-face interaction, nonverbal communication is quite natural and each of us naturally makes and interprets gestures and nonverbal cues subconsciously. Yet in video chats, we have to work harder to send and receive signals. Gestures could also mean different things in a video meeting context. A sidelong glance to someone during an in-person meeting means something very different than a person on a video chat grid looking off-screen to their child who just walked into their home office.

SOLUTION.

During long stretches of meetings, give yourself an “audio only” break. This is not simply the user turning off the camera to take a break from having to be nonverbally active, yet also turning their body away from the screen. This allows the participant a few minutes to avoid nonverbal gestures that are perceptually realistic yet less socially significant. 

VIDEO FATIGUE

Video fatigue is defined as being present on a video call or video meeting in terms of showing up on the attendee list, yet in terms of idea-sharing and participation, the participant is very much absent.

The absence might be daydreaming into the distance, continuing to work in the background with their mic muted and camera off, or constantly having their attention drawn away by other things popping up on their screen like emails and social media notifications. Distracted multitasking is also rife amongst those who work from home as they tend to children, deal with pets, load the washing machine, having a chin-wag with the postman, etc – all while a virtual collaboration session is going on in the background on their laptop on the kitchen table.

There are a number of reasons why video fatigue and distracted multitasking can set in, including:

  • People preferring to work in more analogue, in-person environments (rather than virtual/digital)
  • A lack of eye contact, leading to disconnectedness and not feeling truly listened to
  • Presence disparity due to physical and communicative distance (e.g. when other call attendees have their microphones muted and cameras turned off so it doesn’t really feel like they’re there)
  • Technical difficulties such as video latency, audio lagging, and poor internet connection
  • The environment an attendee is in – and joining the meeting from – just isn’t conducive to cognitive focus or productivity (e.g. from their bedroom at home)
  • Anxiety and hyper-awareness that they’re being ‘looked at’ through the screen – something which is less prevalent in-person as meeting attendees tend to look around the room instead or avert their gaze in some way
  • In-person meeting attendees talking to and interacting with other people within the physical space, subconsciously neglecting those tuning in via screen

At the beginning of the pandemic, when businesses and workforces were forced to pivot rapidly, video conferencing technology was a lifesaver. It enabled teams to continue collaborating, communicating and connecting, despite working remotely and becoming very suddenly geographically dispersed. Moving forward, post-pandemic and beyond, video meetings will continue to have significant benefits for the evolving workplace, expanding talent pools and fostering more flexible ways of working and more fluid company cultures. Again, though, this is a double-edged sword: with those benefits comes the increased risk of things like video call fatigue and dips in focus and concentration due to digital distractions and multitasking.

Here are some suggestions from our experts on how you can tailor your workspace and company culture to limit distraction and fatigue, and bring the buzz back to your video-based sessions.

MIX DIGITAL AND ANALOGUE COLLABORATION.

Humans all learn, create and absorb information in different ways; some people enjoy digital work, whilst others prefer more hands-on, in-person, screen-free sessions. Video meetings obviously don’t cater for the latter so it’s important when cultivating an inclusive workplace, to facilitate all personality types. Those who do prefer analogue work will rapidly fade into the background if video sessions are the main priority. Make sure your workspace includes well-designed breakout and collaboration spaces so that people who work best sans screen can flourish too.

CONSIDER CREATING A ‘ZOOM ROOM’.

Video calls are here to stay, we all know that. With more remote job roles than ever before, working from home becoming more commonplace, and teams being geographically dispersed, video conferencing tech is an invaluable workplace tool. To make it work to the advantage of your business and its workforce, consider creating a dedicated space purpose-built for taking video-based calls and meetings.  We fondly refer to these as ‘Zoom rooms’ and they’re an effective way to keep concentration intact, as well as limiting disturbance to those around.

MAKE VIDEO MEETINGS MORE INTERACTIVE.

Rather than treating a video call like a webinar, whereby the meeting organizer presents to everybody else, shake things up and make the session more interactive. Get everybody participating in the same way you would if it was an in-person collaboration session. If that means creating a meeting agenda to encourage all meeting attendees to interact in some way, put one together and share it around beforehand. Try these three simple things, you’ll hopefully find that video meetings become a help rather than a hindrance and that video call fatigue and distracted multitasking become a thing of the past.

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      MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT

      LAST UPDATED AUGUST 6, 2019

      This Master Services Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into this day by and between Clicksuasion Labs. (“Clicksuasion”), 293 Olmsted Blvd, Second Floor, Pinehurst, NC 28374, USA, on behalf of itself and its owned and operated affiliates, and (“Client”), in the delivery of consulting and other professional services, collectively the “Parties”   This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until terminated by either party with 30 days’ written notice.

      1. DEFINITIONS:
      • “Services” means any products and services that are requested by Client, whether electronic, written or verbal to Clicksuasion.
      • “Website” collectively refers to all Internet websites and domains owned by Clicksuasion.
      • “Exploratory”, “Discovery” means all communication, whether electronic, written or verbal with the intent to agree upon a SOW.
      • “Client” means any person or entity who requests Services or engages in Exploratory or Discovery communication with the intent to hire Clicksuasion Services.

       

      1. SCOPE: “Clicksuasion” shall provide consulting, research and other professional services to Client or to Client’s clients.

       

      1. WORK ASSIGNMENTS: The specific services to be provided by Clicksuasion shall be described in one or more Statements of Work (“SOW”) (or “Proposal”) issued pursuant to this Agreement and agreed upon in writing by the Parties prior to the termination of this Agreement, except where mentioned in paragraphs 5 and 16. The SOW shall be incorporated herein by reference and all terms and conditions of this Agreement shall apply to the SOW as if fully set forth therein. The SOW shall include a summary of the work, skills required, fees to be paid, and instructions on reimbursable expenses.  In the event of any conflict between the contents of any SOW and this Agreement, the SOW shall govern.

       

      1. USE OF CLICKSUASION WEBSITES: visit TERMS OF USE: clicksuasion.com/termsofuse

       

      1. INVOICING AND PAYMENT: We will invoice Client at the beginning of any project and when stated in the SOW. Unless otherwise stated, invoiced charges are due net-thirty (30) days from the invoice date. Client is responsible for providing complete and accurate billing and contact information to Clicksuasion and promptly notifying Clicksuasion of any changes to such information, including, without limitation, Client’s obligation to promptly report any Services-related performance issues or problems negatively impacting Client’s satisfaction with the Services so that Clicksuasion may attempt to remedy such. For clarity, if Client fails to notify Clicksuasion of a Services-related issue within five days from incurring it, such issue may not be relied upon as a reason to terminate this Agreement for Cause. In the event that payment is made via a third party agent, Client shall indemnify Clicksuasion and keep Clicksuasion indemnified against any loss, damage, costs and expenses Clicksuasion may suffer or incur as a result of any default by the third party agent in making payment in accordance with the terms of the SOW or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement. Client further authorize Clicksuasion to use a third party to process payments, and consent to the disclosure of your payment information to such third party. Clicksuasion shall invoice Client for fees and direct out-of-pocket expenses incurred as per the SOW. Payment in full is due upon completion of work or if other arrangements have been made between Clicksuasion and Client. Invoices unpaid after 15-days shall incur a late fee of 24 percent per annum until paid in full. Billing shall be on a time and materials basis.  Client’s non-payment of any Invoice shall entitle the Clicksuasion to stop performance under the terms of this Agreement, any Amendments thereto and/or any SOW without recourse by Client. Client is responsible for all fees and damages associated with the collection and legal solutions of late payments. All non-disclosure agreements between Client and Clicksuasion are void upon the first aged invoice 30-days past due. Additionally, the non-disclosure agreement must be re-signed by both parties to be effective beyond the first aged invoice 30-days past due. If any amount owed by Client under this or any other agreement for Clicksuasion services is thirty or more days overdue, Clicksuasion may, without limiting Clicksuasion’s other rights and remedies, accelerate Client’s unpaid fee obligations under such agreements so that all such obligations become immediately due and payable, and suspend Client Services until such amounts are paid in full. Clicksuasion will give Client at least seven days’ prior notice that the Client account is overdue before suspending services to Client.

       

      1. ENGAGEMENT NOTICE: A request for services, whether electronic or verbal, to members of Clicksuasion and the acceptance of the request of services from Clicksuasion will constitute a signed writing. All requested services, without a signed agreement, are billed monthly at $490.00 USD per hour. Client is subject to a $270.00 USD charge upon two consecutive missed meetings, whether electronic, telephonic or in-person, regardless of geographic location. Clients with ten (10) or less full-time W2-structured employees are billed $10,000.00 USD to be held in escrow for discussions related to research. All monies held in escrow will be billed at $490.00 USD during the exploratory process and all remaining funds, if applicable, will be returned to Client upon completion of the SOW or after an agreement is signed between both parties to cancel the SOW, whichever is first.

       

      1. VENDOR NOTICE: No employee of Clicksuasion has the authority to conclude any binding contract without an explicit ink-signed consent by the Chief Behavioral Officer. Therefore, any will to enter into an agreement must be confirmed by the Chief Behavioral Officer.

       

      1. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR: The Parties recognize and agree that Clicksuasion is an independent contractor. This Agreement is not to be construed to create an employment relationship between Client and Clicksuasion’s employees or subcontractors. This Agreement does not authorize either party to enter into any commitment or agreement binding on the other party. Clicksuasion shall have sole responsibility for the payment of salary (including withholding of income taxes and social security), worker’s compensation, disability benefits, and all other applicable taxes for its personnel.

       

      1. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: Each Party agrees not to directly or indirectly disclose to third parties any of the other party’s confidential or proprietary information without the written consent of the disclosing party. Neither party shall, during the time the Clicksuasion is rendering services to the Client or any time thereafter, disclose to anyone other than authorized personnel any information of a confidential nature, including but not limited to, information relating to: any materials or intellectual property supplied by one Party to the other Party; either Party’s projects or programs; the technical, commercial or any other affairs or acts of the other Party or any confidential information which either Party has received from a third party and which has been identified as confidential. The restrictions contained in this Agreement are intended to cover confidential information which relates to the Parties’ respective businesses and which has not been otherwise made public but shall not apply to the dissemination which may be required by proper government or judicial inquiry. Likewise, confidential information shall not be deemed to be information which is in the public domain or which at some future point become available in the public domain. All non-disclosure agreements between Client and Clicksuasion are void upon the first aged invoice 30-days past due. Additionally, the non-disclosure agreement must be re-signed by both parties to be effective beyond the first aged invoice 30-days past due.

       

      1. WORK PRODUCT RIGHTS: Clicksuasion shall retain all rights, title, interest and ownership in the work product delivered pursuant to this Agreement, any Amendments thereto and the SOW as well as the Clicksuasion’s proprietary tools and methodologies which shall remain the sole property of Clicksuasion. For work product produced under the terms of this Agreement, upon payment in full of Clicksuasion’s Invoices, Client shall be granted a paid up, non-exclusive, irrevocable, world-wide license for all such work product to reproduce, distribute copies to the public and prepare derivative works by or on behalf of Client. Client agrees to permit Clicksuasion to publish Client data and case studies, without personally identifiable information, and without distribution of confidential information, for the purpose of advancing behavioral science via academic journals and Clicksuasion websites and distribution channels.

       

      1. TAXES: Client shall be responsible for all federal, state, and local sales, use, privilege, or excise taxes assessed on the charges to Client’s end users in relation to services provided hereunder (if Client is a tax-exempt organization and therefore there may be no taxes). Clicksuasion shall be responsible for all federal, state, and local sales, use, privilege, or excise taxes assessed on Clicksuasion’s income for these services.

       

      1. CLIENT LIST: Client agrees that Clicksuasion may include Client in its published client list and may display Client’s logo and trademark in its marketing materials and public relations; provided such use conforms to Client’s logo and trademark standards as such standards are provided to Clicksuasion.

       

      1. NON-SOLICITATION: During the term of the applicable SOW and for one year thereafter, neither Party shall solicit, entice, offer employment, retain or hire the other Party’s employees or contractors, without the written agreement of the other Party; nor shall Clicksuasion solicit or enter into a direct contract with Client’s client without the written agreement of Client.

       

      1. WARRANTIES: Clicksuasion warrants that the Services to be provided under this Agreement shall be performed in a professional manner conforming to generally accepted industry standards and practices. Client agrees that Clicksuasion sole and exclusive obligation with respect to the Services covered by this limited warranty shall be, at Clicksuasion sole discretion, to correct the nonconformity or to refund the Services Fees paid for the affected Services.

       

      1. TERM OF AGREEMENT: This Agreement commences on the date Client executes the SOW or requests service, whichever is first, or Client access any Clicksuasion Services and this Agreement continues until all services granted in accordance with this Agreement have expired or been terminated.

       

      1. TERMINATION: This Agreement may be terminated or amended at any time only upon written agreement by both parties with 30-days written notice; however, all payments made to Clicksuasion and the rights and obligations which by their nature are intended to survive such expiration or earlier termination shall survive, including without limitation warranty, limitation of liability, and confidentiality. Client may request that Clicksuasion reassign any of its personnel assigned to a SOW upon Clicksuasion’s receipt of Client’s written notice.

       

      1. LIABILITY FOR LOSS: Neither Party shall be responsible for any consequential, indirect, punitive, incidental, or special damages arising under any theory of recovery. The maximum liability of either Party is limited to fees paid by or payable to Clicksuasion for Clicksuasion’s services. Client acknowledges that Clicksuasion shall not be responsible for damages or delays of any kind or type caused by labor strikes, fires, wars, acts of God, terrorist activities, the inability to obtain supplies or materials or any other causes or forces beyond the control of the Clicksuasion. Client acknowledges that such events may delay the start, progress and/or the completion of the work.  Moreover, Client acknowledges and agrees the Clicksuasion shall have no further liability upon Client’s receipt of Services.  Client also acknowledges and agrees that any changes made to the website by Client’s personnel and/or by third parties which require the Company to do additional work after delivery of Services shall be billed by Clicksuasion to the Client on a time and materials basis.

       

      1. WAIVER: No delay or failure by either Party to exercise any right or remedy will operate as a waiver thereof.

       

      1. SEVERABILITY: If any part of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unlawful for any reason, the same shall be deemed severed from the remainder thereof and it shall in no way affect or impair the validity of the Agreement, any Amendments thereto and/or the SOW.

       

      1. ASSIGNMENT: This Agreement may not be assigned or transferred by either party without written agreement of both Parties, which assignment shall not be unreasonably withheld, qualified or delayed.

       

      1. GOVERNING LAW: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina without reference to any principles of choice or conflicts of laws. Any action instituted by either party arising out of this Agreement, the SOW or the Proposal shall be litigated exclusively in Moore County, North Carolina.  The Parties expressly consent to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of Moore County, North Carolina.

       

      1. COSTS OF ENFORCEMENT: If a suit, action, arbitration, or other proceeding of any nature whatsoever is instituted in connection with any controversy arising out of this Agreement, or to interpret or enforce any rights under this Agreement or the North Carolina Limited Liability Company Act, Clicksuasion may recover attorney’s fees and costs.

       

      1. ENTIRE AGREEMENT: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior understandings between the Parties. Any change to this Agreement shall be in the form of a written Amendment signed by both Parties.  In the event of a conflict between this Agreement and the signed Amendment, the Amendment shall control.

       

      1. JOINT DRAFTING OF AGREEMENT: The Parties expressly agree that this Agreement was jointly drafted and that both Parties have had the opportunity to negotiate terms and to review the terms prior to the execution of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed neither against nor in favor of either Party but shall be construed in a neutral manner.

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