The role of space and distance in human communication

Space matters Metaphors, 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 Space Territory 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 Space Personal 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 violations President Lyndon B. Johnson was known for violating others’ personal space

Territory or space?

Types of space Physical space Borders, walls, cubicles Your room Psychological space The effect of spaces on mood Your sense of privacy Virtual space Facebook Privacy violations on the web Identity theft/information privacy

TSA scanner controversy TSA’s practice of using body scanners or full body pat downs outraged many airline passengers. Anger over privacy violations Fears about health risks from radiation Concerns about storing and sharing images Some companies sell scanner blocking underwear, but TSA warns this may result in a pat down.

Status and power People with higher status may literally be higher Top floor, corner office Higher 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--continued Segregation in the 1950s and 1960s May use desks or other furniture as barriers Seating 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 office Instructors’ 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 communication Opposite adversarial/competitive Adjacent cooperative Corners cooperative Power head 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 invaders Tailgaters 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 space On 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 zones Intimate: 6-18 inches close friends, family Personal: 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 stores Public: 12 feet or more: public speaking, presentations Lots 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 Prevention staking out territory territorial markers Defense standing your ground challenging the violation Insulation hoodie, earbuds, sunglasses Withdrawal

Types of encroachment Violation: unwarranted use of someone’s property Walking into someone’s home without knocking Borrowing a roommate’s clothes without asking Mentally undressing someone with your eyes Invasion Permanent takeover Parents or grandparents on Facebook Sexual assault Tagging Contamination Detritus left behind littering Smoking in someone’s car Dog poop on your neighbor’s lawn Using someone else’s toothbrush or deodorant

Physical distance implies social distance

Too close, too far, or just right?