PROXEMICS

The term proxemics was introduced by anthropologist Edward T. Hall in 1959 to describe set measurable distances between peoples as they interact.


CRITERIA FOR HUMAN INTERACTIONS

Body spacing and posture, according to hall, is unintentional reactions to sensory fluctuations or shifts, such as subte changes in the sound and pitch a person's voice. Social distance between people is reliably correlated with physical distance, as are intimate and personal distance according to following delineations:

Intimate distance for embracing, touching or whispering
close phase - less than 6 inches (15cm)
far phase - 6 to 18 inches (15-45cm)

Personal distance for interactions among good friends
close phase - 1.5 to 2.5 feet (45-75cm)
far phase - 2.5 to 4 feet (75-120cm)

Social distance for interactions among acquaintances
Close phase - 5 t0 7 feet (1.5-2.1m)
Far phase - 7 to 12 feet (2.1-3.6m)

Public distance used to public speaking
Close phase - 12 to 25 feet (3.6-7.5m)
Far phase - 25 feet (7.5m) or more


Halls notes that different cutures maintain different standards of personal space. Realizing and recognising these cultural differences improves cross-cultural understanding, and helps eliminate discomfort people may feel if the interpersonal distances is too large or rtoo small. Comfortabe personal distance also depend on the cultural, social, situation, geder and individual preference.

TYPES OF SPACE

Proxemics defines three different types of space:


Fixed-feature space
This comprises things that are immotile, such as walls and territorial boundaries can vary and thus are classified as semifixed-features

Semifixed-feature space
This comprises moveable objects, such as furniture. However, again, some furniture is fixed, and is classified as a fixed-feature.

Informal space
This comprises the personal space around the body, that travels around with a person as he/she move, and that determines the personal distance among people.