Personal Space, Territoriality & Visual Territory Ch. 4 Communication

 The Intimate Zone  The most guarded zone  Reserved for close friends and relatives  Those we love and are emotionally close to us  Distance- skin to 18 inches away  Allowing someone into this zone is a sign of TRUST  If someone enters with our consent, we feel threatened.  Draw away, turn away, tense muscles and avoid eye contact  Nonverbally, we are saying we are forced to let you in to our territory  Sometimes people use a prop as a personal barrier (briefcase, purse, etc.) Think of the proximity of someone you are dating. How close do they sit to you? Holding hands, hugging, etc. Personal Space

 Your Personal Space  18 inches to 4 feet away  18 inches is typical for couples in public  Arm’s length is conversation distance  We are less personal with people in this space Think of your classmates, how close do they sit to you? What kind of conversations do you have with them? Personal Space, cont.

 The Social Zone  Parties, friendly gatherings and business situations, for friends and casual acquaintances  4-12 feet away  4-7 feet appropriate for salespeople, customers, co-workers  7-12 feet appropriate for boss and employee, less relaxed conversation Think about the space between you and a teacher. What types of conversations do you have with your teacher? Personal Space, cont.

 The Public Zone  Speakers and their audiences, classrooms  12 feet and outward  Anyone who remains 25 feet and beyond is not interested in conversation or dialogue. Do you sit in the back of a classroom? Do you participate in dialogue with your teacher? Personal Space, cont.

 These distances given for personal space are according to our culture.  For example, you might feel uncomfortable talking to someone from Japan or Latin America because they stand closer in ordinary conversation than we do. Personal Space, cont.

 Penetrating visual territory is as uncomfortable as physical invasion.  A glance lasting longer than 3 seconds is likely to be as threatening as someone standing too closely.  Strangers will maintain eye contact only when they want something such as information, assistance, etc. Think about someone you don’t know, but would like to know. How might you draw their attention? Visual Territory

 We all stake out and mark our own territory or space we consider to be private and our own.  It remain stationary, a geographical area where we assume rights. Think of your room. Or a classroom where the teacher doesn’t assign seats. What happens if you sit in the teacher’s chair at the teacher’s desk? Territory

 Sometimes people create a temporary territory in public. For example, spreading coats out to save seats for someone.  Studies have shown that if a book or coat is left in a space that others see this as holding the space. Think of a time when you have left a coat or jacket in a seat. Was it there when you returned? Territory, cont.

 One rule of space, do not crowd someone else’s space. Think about the cafeteria. Do you leave empty chairs between your “group” and others?  Although people have strong feelings about their personal space being invaded, rarely will anyone verbally protest against the invasion. Territory, cont.