- Published: November 17, 2021
- Updated: November 17, 2021
- University / College: University of Cambridge
- Language: English
- Downloads: 30
It is widely agreed thatpersonal space is higly valued and people tend to feel discomfortable, angry, or anxious when their personal space is invaded; and acoording to Engleberg & Wynn(2006), permitting a person to comeinto personal space and entering somebody else’s personal space are indicatorsof perception of those people’s relationship.
Moreover, clearly, no matter theculture, the distance zones that we choose for different groups and people cancommunicate our feelings towards them in very powerful ways. Intimate distance is obviously the space set aside only for those who we trust, love andconsider the most important in our social spheres. If such people are presentin our most inner circle, we, of course, enjoy their presence, but to other uninvitedexistence, we will shut down and try to retain somehow our comfort zone. This explains why we feel uneasy, embarrassed or evenfurious when a person we are not familiar with gives a sudden hug or kiss.
The confusion and panic caused by one’s exposureto unwelcome invasion of his/her personal distance can be usefully exploited insome cases. “ For example, one of thepopular interrogation techniques is to intimidate the suspect by getting veryclose to invade his intimate zone. Then, while he is helpless, try to exploithis vulnerability and discomfort to extract information” (Tarakanov, n.
d.). People that we feel at ease around and have a goodrelationship with are accepted in personal zone, which is an easy and relaxed space for “ talking, shaking hands, gesturing and making faces” (Tarakanov, n. d.
). Depending on personal preference and affection, this zone maycontain some smaller divisions but the main point is that the more we likesomeone, the closer we tend to sit or stand to him/her. This is the reason whypeople of the same group have a tendency of sitting in same table when theyattend parties and even in the same group, people often choose to sit next tothe person they share more things in common and feel comfortable to talk to.
