What is the proxemic distance or personal space. 3 types

Proxemic distance refers to the personal space that must mediate between one subject and another.

The interpersonal or proxemic distance is also known as personal space, which is necessary in the different social relationships that are made in life.

Content

• The proxemic distance
• The 3 types of interpersonal distance
• PERSONAL SPACE FUNCTIONS
  • Bibliography

The proxemic distance

The concept of proxemic distance was coined by the American anthropologist Edward Hall, in 1968. It is thanks to the observations of this author, and its classifications, which today is known more accurately about proxemic distances and the meaning or importance they have in communicative processes.

Similarly, it was Hall who called the study or scientific approach of space as a means for interpersonal communication as a proxiamia. In this same line, Other authors have defined personal space as an area that has "invisible limits" that border people.

In any case, there have been many analogies that have been used to try to explain what the personal space is like. For example, some call it as an "aura" and for others it is like a "snail"; However, the most common is that, to refer to this proxemic distance, it alludes to the metaphor of a “bubble” that accompanies the person at all times and that consists of an area to which you cannot enter without a authorization.

But, this "bubble" does not always have the same diameter, this means that its size can vary depending on the social situation, as well as the perception of the type of social interaction that is sustained.

It is remarkable that Personal space refers to the physical distance between two people When they interact, which can be measured in meters and centimeters, which causes several types of interpersonal distance.

Therefore, proxemia is so important, since it analyzes the forms that people follow when they use their space, that is, that it is dedicated to the study of the relationship and proximity relationships between the subjects and the objects in the interaction, in addition to postures and absence or presence of physical contact.  This consists of the study of proxemic distances.

Thus, this discipline will be in charge of studying the way in which human beings make use and perceive their physical space, their intimacy, as and with whom they use it.

The 3 types of interpersonal distance

There are several types of interpersonal distance, which are the following:

1. The intimate distance: located between 0.45 m and physical contact. This type of distance allows the expression of feelings that are intense, such as love, tenderness, anger, comfort or contradiction. In this type of distance the confidences and love practices also find place. It allows you to appreciate gestures of anger, blush or tender looks, but other senses also charge prominence, because you can feel the heat and texture of the other person's skin through touch; perceive perfume or perspiration, while the voice can occupy a background, since many times it does not exceed the whisper.
2. Personal distance: located between 45 and 120 cm. In this distance, the view occupies a more prominent place and, although some senses can still influence -as in the case of the smells that are still perceived -, they occupy a second place. Nonverbal language, such as gestures or posture, have a more important place. There is no physical contact, unless someone deliberately causes him. The tone of voice is low, perfect for confidences, confessions or other personal tone nature. It is a type of distance between very intimate friends and well -known people.
3. Public distance: located at 3.5 and 7 meters. It is the perfect distance for the most superficial contacts and in which the view and voice predominate, although gestures, modulations or some details can still be perceived. This distance is used in exhibitions, audiences or speeches.

PERSONAL SPACE FUNCTIONS

Personal space is important in the world of social interactions and fulfills several functions.

On the one hand, Personal space fulfills the social regulation function, Considering that children do not use personal space in the same way that adults do, so it is suspected that this is learned socially and becomes a norm that allows people to establish interactions adjusted to each circumstance or context.

Besides, It meets a self -protection role, since it is related to the control of threats to individuals, although this is understood from the perspective according to which human beings are always at the crossroads between fleeing or attacking when relating to others.

It is undeniable that, when someone approaches too much, the person feels on alert and, in many situations, the appropriate personal space allows stress or social anxiety situations to be reduced. It follows that an adequate personal space allows the person to feel comfortable and safe, maintaining a regulation of their privacy.

Likewise, personal space is a form of verbal communication, as considered Hall himself, then, Depending on the distance that is maintained with the other, more or less information will be offered. In general, short distances can give way for a person to continue the interaction, while an elder can be interpreted as the desire that the person has to avoid interaction, or relate more formally.

Finally, understanding personal distances is important because these vary according to culture. For example, in Latin cultures, proxemic distance is usually shorter, while, in Nordic cultures, the opposite occurs.

Understand and recognize this type of cultural differences allows you to identify whether the distance is very large or small, making the own adjustment of the same.

Phubbing: how does it influence our relationships

Bibliography

• Brown, n. (2001). Edward t. Hall: Proxmic Theory, 1966. Center for Spatially Integrated
• Hall, e. T. (1963). A System for The Notation of Proxmic Behavior. American Anthropologist, 65(5), 1003-1026.
• Hall, e. T., Birdwhistell, r. L., Bock, b., Bohannan, p., DIEBOLD JR, A. R., Durbin, m.,... & vayda, to. P. (1968). Proxemics [and comments and replies]. Current Anthropology, 9(2/3), 83-108.