I was always antisocial, but I started picking up 'social' things in high school from people, like I noticed when someones talking to you you should be looking in their eyes and nodding your head and such annoying things, so I do it because I think it's better than to listen to someone and just be looking at a wall or something, but it's very unnatural to me.

I do it all the time

It makes me feel that I'm in control of the conversation

Yeah, I do, but sometimes it's a bit unusual.

I either stare, or look a little bit to the side of their face/downwards. It's easier for me sometimes to focus on what they're saying by looking away from them. I see what they're saying, either as words or I play a "movie" in my mind about what they're saying. It helps me understand, otherwise I might not get what they're saying.