1. A computer-implemented method for monitoring a vehicle occupant, the method comprising: detecting, by a surroundings detection device having a first sensor system, multiple objects in the vehicle surroundings; detecting, by a gaze detection device having a second sensor system, a viewing direction of the vehicle occupant; and automatically associating, by an association device having a computer processor, the detected viewing direction with one of the detected objects to determine which object of the multiple objects the vehicle occupant has viewed.