Proxemics

Role of Proxemics and Nonverbal Communication

The seminal work of American anthropologist and cross-cultural researcher, Edward T. Hall, in the 1960s discussed nonverbal communication and included proxemics as a form of nonverbal communication. The other forms of nonverbal factors are kinesics, paralanguage, and high-low-context communication. Kinesics are body movements [Page 1221]while paralanguage refers to vocal cues. High-low context characterizes whether messages rely more on context or content, respectively. All nonverbal communication factors exist on a continuum, and individuals will have their own style even though they may or may not share characteristics that are generally accepted as having connections to culture, race, or ethnicity.

The proxemic work outlined four types of distances, in which individuals typically communicate with each other: intimate, personal, social, and public. Intimate distance, which is less than one and a half feet, is for partners or lovers. Personal space for family and friends is usually characterized between one and a half feet to four feet. The third distance, social space often used with colleagues and acquaintances, ranges from four feet to about 12 feet. Public speaking or interacting with strangers is often greater than 12 feet and can extend to about 25 feet. These space differences for interacting with others will vary and can change depending on social setting circumstances such as being seated on a bus or working in an office. Factors such as culture, geographic density, socioeconomic status, and the relationship between two individuals must also be considered.

Multicultural Considerations

Personal space is an individually determined preference but may be influenced by race, culture, and ethnicity. Ideally, proxemics are personal space zones, in which individuals let others in or keep them out. Recent research has also alluded to the role factors beyond culture or race, such as gender and age, may have in proxemics and ultimately communication style. People younger in age generally seem to prefer closer spatial distance than older people, and women prefer greater distances with acquaintances than do men. Personal space preference may also be mediated by the location of residence with regard to temperature variations in geographical regions especially those which may be colder or hotter. Further, there also appears to be some variation with regard to population density in living area.

Some generally accepted social cultural distances indicate that cultures such as African, Arab, Black American, French, Indonesian, and Latin American may interact conversationally at closer distances than European Americans. Intimate space in North America is from the face to 20 inches, while in Latin America or the Middle East, the distance shrinks to about half of that. In face-to-face situations, those from different cultures may adjust themselves to a comfortable distance within which to interact.

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