Interpersonal distance corresponds to maintaining a physical and emotional distance from some people. This concept, coming from the study of human communication, can be related to reasons that differ depending on the context and situations that the person has experienced. Setting a distance is usually associated with marking clear and noticeable limits that can affect the bonds that a human being has. Given this, the theme has some subtleties that represent changes in the way of contemplating actions, since the emotions and thoughts that come into play play a primary role. There are several ways to mark a distance from other people if a decision of this caliber is reached.
In this Psychology-Online article we will provide you with information about the types of interpersonal distance.
What is proxemics or interpersonal distance
Proxemics or interpersonal distance is the study of perception of physical space in social interaction. This concept was addressed by the anthropologist Edward Hall, who tried to understand the verbal and non-verbal communication that occurred between human beings in social settings. In this way, it was possible to build a firm theoretical basis to think about the modalities that come into play between people.
On the one hand, proxemics or interpersonal distance takes into account emotions, thoughts and behaviors in a particular way, in order to understand each person. On the other hand, this concept emphasizes the group aspects that arise from physical contact.
The distancing It will depend on the space of the social situation, which will allow it to be classified into intimate, personal, social and public distance. Below we will explain each of them.
Social distance
Social distance refers to space that is produced to delimit the contact physically and/or emotionally with other people in social situations. The intensity and frequency of this type of distance will depend on the qualities that the person has. If we refer to physical contact, the average social distance ranges between 1.25 and 2 meters in periods of closeness, while in moments of distance it is 2 to 3.5 meters.
One of the most notable examples of this condition was observed during the social distancing that was implemented in the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent infectious spread. In this article we explain to you.
Public distance
Public distance is a concept used to address those social situations in which there is little contact physical and emotional. This idea corresponds to the fact that the person decides to maintain a distance even greater than that included in social distance, which results in a noticeable lack of closeness.
According to Hall, public distance has two types of stages: near and distant phase. In the first, the distance ranges between 3.5 and 7.25 meters. For its part, in the distant phase it is greater than 7.25 meters. In other words, these are sporadic interactions in which there is no lasting dialogue between people.
Some examples of situations where we may encounter public distance include press conferences, book launches, concerts, etc.
intimate distance
The intimate distance represents the existing space between people in intimate situations. As its name indicates, these are moments linked to extremely close physical and/or emotional contact with the participation of the bodily senses.
In more specific terms, aspects related to vision, smell, touch, hearing and taste are often brought into play. Taking Hall’s contributions as a reference, the next phase ranges between 0 and 15 centimeters. In this regard, the far phase is around 15 and 45 centimeters in length.
The situations in which we can find an intimate distance correspond to those that offer the possibility of maintaining a relationship. great closeness between peopleas is the case with hugs and sexual intimacy encounters.
personal distance
Finally, personal distance refers to the spaces of each human being that are formed in a social interaction. However, the most notable aspect is that direct contact can be established between people by using different areas of the human body.
According to research carried out on this topic, the near phase is between 45 and 75 centimeters and the far phase ranges between 75 centimeters and 1.25 meters away. One of the everyday situations that reflects these parameters is represented in and familiar, given that a space that marks each person persists.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Edeso Natalías, V. (2005). Social distance and its importance in interaction: proposal for study in the ELE class. Zaragoza’s University.
- Gordillo León, F., López Pérez, RM, Mestas Hernández, L., Corbi Gran, B. (2014). Non-verbal communication in negotiation: the importance of knowing how to express what is said. Electronic Journal of Psychology Iztacala, 17 (2), 646-666.