Intimate Distance In American Culture example essay topic

Influence of Proxemics Specifically, according to Edward T. Hall, who has pioneered the study of spatial communication. Proxemics refers to the use of space in communication: 'the study of how man unconsciously structures micro space-the distance between men in conduct of daily transaction, the organization of space in his houses and buildings, and ultimately the layout of his towns. ' According to Hall, the way space is used in interaction is very much a cultural matter. In different cultures various senses assume importance. For example, as in United States, sight and hearing predominate; in other cultures, such as Arab states, smell is also important. In any cases, a necessary relation is present between the use of senses in interaction and interpersonal distances.

Proxemics relations vary too because the definitions of the self are different, for these reasons, the people of a particular culture arrange their space in certain ways. Hall has identified eight distances that may be indicative of certain types of messages. They included: (1) Very close (3 inches to 6 inches) - soft whisper, top secret, or intimate information. (2) Close (8 to 12 inches) - audible whisper, very confidential information. (3) Near (12 to 20 inches) - soft voice, confidential. (4) Neutral (20 to 36 inches) - soft voice, personal information.

(5) Neutral (4.5 feet to 5 feet) - full voice, non-personal. (6) Public distance (5.5 feet to 6 feet) - full voice. (7) and (8) stretching the limits of a distance (up to 100 feet) are hailing and departure distances. 1 The intimate distance (under 12 inches) in American culture is used by lovers, husband and wife, children or other members of the family, and very close friends. Generally, they do not want to their intimate space boundaries violated by those with whom they do not have intimate relationships.

The personal zone (1.5 to 3 feet) is a normal and acceptable distance for conversation at a party, for many work relationships, for talk with your classmates, and for chatting with close friends on the street, but it assumes a well-established acquaintance and a trusting relationship. The social zone (4.5 feet to 8 feet) is said to be the distance at which American business is transacted. It is the distance between the housewife and the appliance repair person, the salesperson and the customer, and those only casually acquainted at social gatherings. Public distance is often used in public speaking, for acting (distance between actor and audience), and for certain business situations. As mentioned above, each culture arrange their space in certain ways and has certain expectancies for the distance people are to maintain in their conversations. Also, people have their own personal peculiarity.

Together, these determine 'expected distance'. What happened when these expectations are violated? The Expectancy Violations Theory (EVT) explained what happened whine you increase or decrease the distance between yourself and another in an interpersonal interaction. 2 If you violate the expected distance to a great extent - small violations most often go unnoticed - then the relationship itself comes into focus. The other person begins to turn attention away from the topic of conversation and toward you and your relationship with him or her. If this other person perceived you positively - for example, you are a high-status person or you are particularly attractive - then you will be perceived even more positively if you violate the norm.

If, however, you are perceived negatively and you violate the norm, you will be perceived even more negatively. Thus, the positively evaluated person will be perceived more positively if he or she violates the norm, whereas the negatively evaluated person will be more positively perceived if the distance norm is not violated. 1 Edward T. Hall, The Silent Language (New York: Doubleday, 1959), 163-164.2 Burgo on, Judge et al. Nonverbal Communication: The Unspoken Dialogue. (New York: Harper & Row, 1989).