The role of space and distance in human communication

Space mattersMetaphors, expressions

related to space “I feel close to you.” “I need some space right

now.” Three’s a crowd Keeping someone at arm’s

length “Don’t back me into a

corner.” Getting in someone’s grill.” “Don’t be trying to get all

up in here.” “I need some elbow room.” “You’re on my turf now.”

Territory vs. Personal SpaceTerritory is the physical

area we claim as our own.graffiti is used to mark a

gang’s turf.“keep out,” “private

property,” “no trespassing” signs

Territory is defined by boundaries, occupancy, and ownership

Personal SpacePersonal space is

the social bubble we carry around with us.Personal bubbles vary

by gender, culture, situation

Personal space is dynamic, portable, situational or contextual

Space violationsPresident

Lyndon B. Johnson was known for violating others’ personal space

Territory or space?

Types of spacePhysical space

Borders, walls, cubiclesYour room

Psychological spaceThe effect of spaces on

moodYour sense of privacy

Virtual spaceFacebookPrivacy violations on the

webIdentity theft/information

privacy

TSA scanner controversyTSA’s practice of using

body scanners or full body pat downs outraged many airline passengers.Anger over privacy violationsFears about health risks

from radiationConcerns about storing and

sharing images

Some companies sell scanner blocking underwear, but TSA warns this may result in a pat down.

Status and powerPeople with higher

status may literally be higherTop floor, corner officeHigher chair

People with higher status occupy more space.

High status people sit at the head of the table

High status people have greater permission to violate others’ space

Higher status people touch more objects, including other people’s.

Power and status--continuedSegregation in the

1950s and 1960sMay use desks or other

furniture as barriersSeating arrangements

at weddings or other formal occasions may imply status differences“Sorry Jane, you’re at

the little kids table.”Police interrogations—

suspect is seated; detectives free to move about.

Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of the bus, as segregation laws in the pre-civil rights era required.

Power in the professor’s officeInstructors’ offices:

Where does teacher sit relative to students?

Instructors’ office doors; open, closed, open a crack?

Students who remain in the doorway versus students who come in and sit down

Seating arrangements and communicationOpposite

adversarial/competitive

Adjacentcooperative

Cornerscooperative

Powerhead of rectangular

table, facing the door

culture, gender, & situational differences

Women’s space is invaded more frequently than men’s

Men who have just met stay farther apart than women who have just met.

Holds true even for virtual environments (Second Life)

Space invadersTailgaters on the

freeway A parent searches a

teen’s dresser or reads his/her diary.

You leave the room at a social event. While you’re gone someone takes “your” seat.

At the beach, some people plop their towels, cooler, boogie board right next to you.

At the ATM someone is standing too close behind you.

People who play loud music

Guarding our spaceOn the freeway; we don’t

want to let that “jerk” merge in front of us.

Armrests in movie theaters and on airplanes.

Gang graffiti to mark turf.Grumpy homeowners;

“You kids get off my lawn.”

At the gym; occupying an exercise machine

A teen puts a sign on his/her bedroom door that says “Private” or “Keep Out.”

No trespassing signs

Parking spaces—a study of 400 drivers at a mall in Atlanta found that drivers protect their parking space. They leave more slowly if another motorist is waiting for their spot.

Edward T. Hall’s space zonesIntimate: 6-18 inches

close friends, familyPersonal: 18 inches to 4 feet

common for most Westerners in everyday conversations.

touching possible, but only permissible touch

Social: 4 to 12 feet: business environments, retail

storesPublic: 12 feet or more:

public speaking, presentationsLots of socially necessary exceptions

elevators, MD exams, crowded bus, train, concerts

Social space

When social space is violated, people compensate in other ways

Space violations can trigger reactions

Preventionstaking out territoryterritorial markers

Defensestanding your

groundchallenging the

violationInsulation

hoodie, earbuds, sunglasses

Withdrawal

Types of encroachmentViolation: unwarranted

use of someone’s propertyWalking into someone’s

home without knockingBorrowing a roommate’s

clothes without askingMentally undressing

someone with your eyesInvasion

Permanent takeoverParents or grandparents

on FacebookSexual assaultTagging

ContaminationDetritus left behind litteringSmoking in someone’s

carDog poop on your

neighbor’s lawnUsing someone else’s

toothbrush or deodorant

Physical distance implies social distance

Too close, too far, or just right?