1. Lecture 10 Nonverbal Communication: Proxemics & Use of Space

2. The study of humankind’s “perception and The study of humankind’s “perception and use of space.” (Edward T. Hall) All human beings learn hundreds of rules & All human beings learn hundreds of rules & cues about space as they grow up based on the ir culture. Most people don’t think about space Most people don’t think about space as being culturally patterned. Foreign spatial rules are often misinterpreted and c an lead to bad feelings. Foreign spatial rules are often misinterpreted and c an lead to bad feelings. Overview of Proxemics

3. Every living thing has a physical boundary. Every living thing has a physical boundary. Every living thing is surrounded by a series Every living thing is surrounded by a series of invisible boundaries. The invisible boundaries start at the edge of the physical boundary and progress outward. The invisible boundaries start at the edge of the physical boundary and progress outward. More difficult to see than the physical boundary because they are invisible, but are just as real. More difficult to see than the physical boundary because they are invisible, but are just as real. Invisible Boundaries (Bubbles)

4. Each person’s invisible bubble of space Each person’s invisible bubble of space expands and contracts. Size depends on… their relationship to those around them their relationship to those around them their emotional state their emotional state their cultural background, and their cultural background, and the activity they are performing. the activity they are performing. In northern Europe (cool climate): people’s In northern Europe (cool climate): people’s bubbles are quite large. As one moves south (w arm climate), the bubbles get smaller and small er. Invisible Boundaries (con’t)

5. Contact Cultures Contact Cultures More immediacy More immediacy People stand close together People stand close together A lot of physical contact when communicating A lot of physical contact when communicating Generally located in warm climates Generally located in warm climates Non-contact Cultures Non-contact Cultures Less immediacy Less immediacy People tend to stand apart People tend to stand apart Touch less or not at all when communicating Touch less or not at all when communicating Generally located in cool climates Generally located in cool climates Contact vs. Non-contact Cultures

6. Contact Cultures More immediacy More immediacy Stand closer together Stand closer together Touch more when comm unicating Touch more when comm unicating Generally located in war m climates Generally located in war m climates Arabs, Latin Americans, Southern Europeans Arabs, Latin Americans, Southern Europeans Non-Contact Cultures Less immediacy Less immediacy Stand further apart Stand further apart Touch less or not at all w hen communicating Touch less or not at all w hen communicating Generally cool climates Generally cool climates East Asians, North Euro peans, North American East Asians, North Euro peans, North American

7. Edward T. Hall, in his book The Silent Edward T. Hall, in his book The Silent Language wrote that white middle-class Americans use four interaction zones Distances people try to keep between Distances people try to keep between themselves and others at different occasions. Four Zones of Interaction Four Zones of Interaction 1st Zone: Intimate Distance 1st Zone: Intimate Distance 2nd Zone: Personal Distance 2nd Zone: Personal Distance 3rd Zone: Social Distance 3rd Zone: Social Distance 4th Zone: Public Distance 4th Zone: Public Distance Zones of Interaction

8. 1st Zone: Intimate Distance 1st Zone: Intimate Distance From physical contact (touching) to about 18 inches (45 cm) From physical contact (touching) to about 18 inches (45 cm) Adults usually do not use this zone unless they are in a crowded elevator, bus, or similar situation. Adults usually do not use this zone unless they are in a crowded elevator, bus, or similar situation. 2nd Zone: Personal Distance 2nd Zone: Personal Distance From 18 inches to 4 feet (45 cm to 120 cm) From 18 inches to 4 feet (45 cm to 120 cm) This distance is used at parties when two or three pe ople are talking together. This distance is used at parties when two or three pe ople are talking together. If they want to talk about something more personal th ey will move closer together. If they want to talk about something more personal th ey will move closer together. Zones of Interaction (con’t)

9. 3rd Zone: Social Distance 3rd Zone: Social Distance From 4 feet to 12 feet (120 cm to 4 m) From 4 feet to 12 feet (120 cm to 4 m) This distance is often used for doing business, This distance is often used for doing business, and for talking with strangers. 4th Zone: Public Distance 4th Zone: Public Distance From 12 feet to the limit of our voice and hearing (4 m to … ) From 12 feet to the limit of our voice and hearing (4 m to … ) This distance is rarely used by most people. This distance is rarely used by most people. Generally only used by people such as teachers, mi nisters, politicians, public speakers, etc Generally only used by people such as teachers, mi nisters, politicians, public speakers, etc Zones of Interaction (con’t)

10. Different cultures set distinctive norms for Different cultures set distinctive norms for closeness (for example in speaking, business, a nd courting), and that standing too close or too f ar away can lead to misunderstandings and eve n culture shock. Not knowing the correct distances for Not knowing the correct distances for particular kinds of communication can result in partial or complete communication failure. Possible Communication Failure

11. “Men reacted more to the person standing “Men reacted more to the person standing immediately behind them than did women.” (i.e. just one step behind, with the hands reachi ng forward on the rail so as to be visible to the p erson ahead) (Vrugt and Kerkstra,1984:9) “Women seem to prefer to act as if they do not notice anything, so that unwanted contact can b e avoided. Men make it clear in their reactions t hat they do not appreciate such a rapprocheme nt.” (Vrugt and Kerkstra 1984:10) “Women seem to prefer to act as if they do not notice anything, so that unwanted contact can b e avoided. Men make it clear in their reactions t hat they do not appreciate such a rapprocheme nt.” (Vrugt and Kerkstra 1984:10) http://gamescene.com/The_Urinal_Game_game.html Escalator Space

12. “A study of more than 400 drivers at an Atl anta-area mall parking lot found that moto rists defend their spots instinctively” (AP, Ma y 13, 1997; from research published in the Jour of App Soc Psych, May 1997). “A study of more than 400 drivers at an Atl anta-area mall parking lot found that moto rists defend their spots instinctively” (AP, Ma y 13, 1997; from research published in the Jour of App Soc Psych, May 1997). “It’s not your paranoid imagination after al l: People exiting parking spaces really do l eave more slowly when you’re waiting for t he spot…. It’s called territorial behavior ….” (AP, May 13, 1997). “It’s not your paranoid imagination after al l: People exiting parking spaces really do l eave more slowly when you’re waiting for t he spot…. It’s called territorial behavior ….” (AP, May 13, 1997). Parking Space

13. Regardless of an “invader’s” sex, men alre ady seated at an otherwise unoccupied ta ble view opposites most negatively, while already seated women view adjacents mo st negatively (Fisher and Byrne, 1975). Regardless of an “invader’s” sex, men alre ady seated at an otherwise unoccupied ta ble view opposites most negatively, while already seated women view adjacents mo st negatively (Fisher and Byrne, 1975). Library Seating Space

14. 1. Europeans: A designer should be very careful not to waste space it will be looked down upon. It should be noted that they d on’t perceive needing as much personal s pace as we do. 1. Europeans: A designer should be very careful not to waste space it will be looked down upon. It should be noted that they d on’t perceive needing as much personal s pace as we do. 2. French: Put a lot of emphasis on outsid e and public spaces. They entertain in pub lic spaces and very seldom in their homes. 2. French: Put a lot of emphasis on outsid e and public spaces. They entertain in pub lic spaces and very seldom in their homes. Design Guidelines

15. 3. Arabs: Arabs need three important things in t heir spaces: 3. Arabs: Arabs need three important things in t heir spaces: unobstructed space, unobstructed space, high ceilings out of normal line of vision, and high ceilings out of normal line of vision, and an unobstructed view. an unobstructed view. 4. Orientals: Focus on the center of the room; th is is where they emphasize functional space. N on-permanent walls and divisions are also an in tegral part. 4. Orientals: Focus on the center of the room; th is is where they emphasize functional space. N on-permanent walls and divisions are also an in tegral part. Design Guidelines (con’t)