Interpersonal Distance and Behavioral Characteristics in Teenagers

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Interpersonal Distance and Behavioral Characteristics in Teenagers ABSTRACT Gender and personal space are found to be correlated with interpersonal distance between subjects who are either standing or sitting down. A method of observation, timing and measuring tiles was used to measure the distance comfortable enough for a subject to have a conversation with another subject. Females were known as Subject X and males were known as Subject Y. Observations were done and separated into three different groups; female to female, male to male, and female to male. A total of 140 subjects were observed and recorded in three different locations; Kmart, Wal-Mart and the El Paso Community College mall area. Observers were placed in a discreet location and would find a random pair of subjects either having a conversation while sitting down, standing up or socializing while walking together. For subjects who were walking around, a picture was taken to later calculate the number of tiles (12 inches) between them. Gender was recorded next to the number of tiles between two subjects. The amount of time it took for each “sitting” group subject to get comfortable was also recorded in order to relate time and interpersonal distance needed by each gender (male and female). Environments were chosen according to gender and age population and were not manipulated in any way. Subjects were not contacted or manipulated in any way and all were kept as either Subject X or Subject Y. INTRODUCTION Personal distance is what we call our “personal bubble”. We all have a different distance that we feel is comfortable enough for us to be able to have a normal conversation with someone else. This is called our interpersonal space. To study interpersonal space we use a term called Proxemics. Proxemics are broken down into four categories: * Intimate distance * Personal distance *

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