Proxemics for Students PDF

Proxemics A Key Concept of Edward T. Hall Objective Develop an understanding on the role and relevance of cultural frameworks Question for Discussion  What was the closest thing you were in contact physically with strangers? Was it by choice? Proxemics Proxemics is the study of...

Proxemics A Key Concept of Edward T. Hall Objective Develop an understanding on the role and relevance of cultural frameworks Question for Discussion  What was the closest thing you were in contact physically with strangers? Was it by choice? Proxemics Proxemics is the study of the way that people use physical space to convey messages (Luthans and Doh, 2011). Background (1 of 4)  Proxemics is a theory of non-verbal communication that explains how people perceive and use space to achieve communication goals. Reference of this slide and hereafter: https://www.communicationstudies.com/communication-theories/proxemics Background (2 of 4)  Introduced by anthropologist Edward T. Hall in the 1960s, the theory emerged from studies of animal behavior conducted in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Background (3 of 4)  Just as animals use urine and physical posturing to define their territory, Hall posited, so do humans use personal space and concrete objects to establish theirs. Background (4 of 4)  Proxemics is one of five non-verbal communication theories, the others being semiotics (sign language), kinesics (body language), haptics (touch) and chronemics (time). Questions for Discussion 1. In a cinema house with few moviegoers, where would you sit: closer to moviegoers or as far away from them? Why? 2. For male students: In a wash room with four urinals (arranged as 1, 2, 3, and 4), with the fourth urinal being used as of the moment, would you use the third urinal? Why or why not? Core Concepts and Assumptions In his book, The Silent Language, Edward Hall outlined the following ideas behind proxemic theory: 1. There are four types of distances people keep: intimate (0 to 18 inches), personal (18 inches to 4 feet), social (4 to 10 feet), and public (over 10 feet). Core Concepts and Assumptions 2. The distances outlined are those deliberately chosen by individuals. Forced closeness doesn’t factor in proxemics. Core Concepts and Assumptions 3. Proxemic behavior is learned mostly from observing others rather than from explicit instruction, which is why personal distance and physical contact varies by culture. Core Concepts and Assumptions 4. The physical distance between communicators indicates the type of relationship they have. Body angles, touch and eye contact further reveal the familiarity between people. The Four Distances In the United States, there are four “distances” people use in communicating on a face-to-face basis (Luthans and Doh, 2011). Public Distance Public distance is used when calling across the room or giving a talk to a group. Social Distance Social distance is used to handle most business transactions. Personal Distance Personal distance is used for talking with family and close friends. Intimate Distance Intimate distance is used for very confidential communications. Question for Discussion  Would jeepney as a public transport work in other countries? Why or why not? Why do they work in our country? Applications  Communication: Proxemics will inform us how a particular cultures maintains distances based on relatioships. It will educate people on what is considered as “normal” distance between people. Applications  Architecture: “...proxemics is not explicit. It is purely imaginary and virtual. It allows future architects to realize the various effects of distance and volume from their own minds, from their own experience in general.” Reference: Manalad, J.V. (2020, Apr 7). Social distancing and other lessons in architecture. The Manila Times. https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/04/07/business/real-estate- and-property/social-distancing-and-other-lessons-in- architecture/710517/ Applications  Showbiz: “Film analysts have discovered that by decreasing the distance between the camera and the actor, audiences become more emotionally attached to the actor’s character.”  Business: “People in business have found that increasing face-to-face interactions between employees strengthens corporate culture.” Reference: https://www.communicationstudies.com/communication-theories/proxemics Applications  Communication Technology: “Studies have shown that people naturally gravitate toward media in which proximity can be accurately simulated in the virtual world. The greater the perceived proximity, the more successful and effective the technology becomes.” Reference: https://www.communicationstudies.com/communication-theories/proxemics Territoriality (Space) 1 of 3 We can talk about space and culture from two perspectives:  space around people, that is, territoriality in general; and  space between people – often called proxemics – our personal ‘space bubble’. Territoriality (Space) 2 of 3  Territoriality refers to those visible and invisible boundaries people place around themselves, at work and in their social life.  This can, for example, be seen in the use of either private offices with closed doors (often preferred in Germany) or open- plan office layouts (as in Japan or China).  In some cultures, senior personnel usually have their offices on the top floor. Territoriality (Space) 3 of 3  Territoriality also concerns our own personal space, the ‘space bubble’ that surrounds us, in which we feel most comfortable and which we claim as our own, almost as if it were an extension of our own body.  Human beings are essentially territorial; they tend to define their space and protect it. Correlations: Key Concepts