I think its due to the format. In a normal meeting your eye is not forced to look solely at a matrix of faces. Your can focus on someones face if you wish but

I think its due to the format. In a normal meeting your eye is not forced to look solely at a matrix of faces. Your can focus on someones face if you wish but otherwise you are looking at the person normally from the waist up. Looking at someones face forces you to make eye contact which has an emotional effect on the parties involved. Extended periods of eye contact is used in couples therapy to increase empathy and intimacy.