How Close is too Close 1

How Close is too Close Jenn Styers Queens University of Charlotte

Abstract

How Close is too Close 2 The purpose of this composition is to explain Proxemics in the communication field. To analyze the difference in what is comfortable and what is invading ones space, in day-to-day interactions. I will touch on the theory that was created by Edward T. Hall and go over on how others expanded this theory; through telling what acceptable distances are for those you are familiar with and those that you are not. What personal territory is, body angling, seating arrangements, and how Proxemics affects the work place. Proxemics in the work place is very important because it establishes dominance and separates the strong from the weak, and also plays a large role in negotiation.

How Close is too Close 3 In day-to-day interaction human beings have an acceptable distance that they keep from one another. Whether this is talking to your boss, co-worker, lover or mother we have a personal bubble that we keep surrounding us that will let one in or keep another out. The technical term for this personal bubble that we keep is called Proxemics. According to Edward T. Hall (1996) Proxemic is The relative positioning of your body in relation to when and how you communicate with others (Hall, 1996). This theory can be applied to everyday life and action, but also is very prevalent in the work place. Jill Bremer (2004) explained that Proxemics is an often overlooked form of communication but is one of the most important concepts that is to be mastered in the Business world (Bremer, 2004). Edward T. Hall was an Anthropologist, who discovered that humans are Distinctly aware of their perception of space and territory (Loo, How to Communicate Using Space). He conducted numerous studies and experiments where he found that Americans have four distinct comfort distances, and that each have their own range of comfort. These four distances that human beings keep that Hall has explained, also have lead to the explanation of territory that is kept and why. This helps explain every day communication that humans have and how we grow from being comfortable to being uncomfortable with others. According to Hall (1996) Within Proxemics there is an amount of personal space that in which humans will let people get in distance to you. The closer that a person is to your relative positioning the more they are trusted, and the higher level of comfort that one poses to the other. The four subgroups to personal space is Intimate which is reserved for people who are romantically involved, or that there is a connection with. The range of this space is normally is between ten inches to

How Close is too Close 4 touching the person that you are communicating with. The second subgroup is Casual-Personal; this range is normally within eighteen inches to four feet of the counterpart, this space is normally meant for informal conversations that are held with friends. The third group is Social- Consultative this ranges from four to twelve feet; and is used for formal transactions with people who are unfamiliar. The last subgroup that Hall defined is Public this is generalized to when one is communicating with a group of people, the range for this is unknown because this transaction can be made at any space because of the unknown factor range cannot be determined (Hall, 1996) Jill Bremer (2004) image consulting coach expands Halls theory of Proxemics through and explanation of Territory that humans keep. Territory also determines Proxemics, because your setting can determine how close you are and how you communicate. She also defines four territories that humans keep, first Primary Territory is when communicating with someone in their personal space, this can be defined as their house or a place where the communicator feels an extreme level of comfort. Second is Secondary Territory this is also a place that one can feel comfortable, this could be a friends house, or a frequent visited bar. Public Territory is next and this is neutral territory that is not owned by one self or their partner, this could be a street park. Last is Interaction Territory, this is temporary private space, where you could have an intimate or private conversation (Bremer, 2004). Within Proxemics body angling is also very crucial, Hall explains that you can be arranged Side-to-Side, or Face-to-Face during a conversation. Face-to-Face will be more intimate or confrontational, while Side-to-Side can hinder a conversation, this type of communicating will normally happen when walking with a counterpart

How Close is too Close 5 or when two are on the same side of an argument. Face-to-Face is common in the business world (Hall, 1996). Body angling is explained for conversations that you are having with a counterpart while not sitting, once sitting this is referred to Seating Arrangement in the theory of Proxemics. Seating Arrangement is also a major part of Proxemics that can either open or hinder communication. Bremer talks about how in cooperative work, sitting Corner-to-Corner allows for great eye contact and non-verbal signals. In a seating arrangement is set up Side- by-Side body language is difficult to read and physical proximity is very close. This seating arrangement works efficiently when both parties need to focus on a task at hand not on each other. Across-the- Table is common in competitive situations, this could be an interview or an argument. Nonverbal signals can be monitored and the table provides a safe barrier for parties included. Unintentional conflict can arise between two people who sit across from each other. People who position themselves Diagonally may choose to sit across from each other but do not have to be directly opposite. This type of setting provides a kind of barrier that allows both parties to concentrate on their work. Last is a Group Setting, this type of seating is normally around a table where there is a leader who sits at the head of the table. This position brings power status and influence (Bremer, 2004). One of the last topics that will be touched on before going into depth about Proxemics in the workplace will be Proxemics in different cultures. The United States differs greatly with proximity compared to other cultures worldwide. Most contact in the U.S is normally in the Casual- Personal space which is also known as Social Space, Bremer (2004) explains this allows people in this culture to have

How Close is too Close 6 personal space while remaining friendly. Asia and Northern Europe also favor this proximity to one another, while Mediterranean, Latin and Arab Cultures prefer to be more intimate, than using casual personal space during conversations(Bremer, 2004). Misunderstandings are common when two people from different cultures interact for the first time. If counterparts do not know how different cultures interact they can invade ones space or seem to be stand offish while communicating. The study of Proxemics has been expanded in many different ways; one way that is very prevalent in todays time is proximity in the workplace. This can affect all topics that were listed above, which can either be beneficial to one in their job or hurt their successes in their career. Proxemics in the work place can in a sense almost be Darwin-istic because it will separate the strong from the weak. Tristian Loo introduces the idea that proximity helps with the use of social space and can tell the status, confidence and power of those that are in the work place. People who possess the most power and authority command a greater amount of space. Management will often distance themselves during conversations, increasing their amount of personal space that they will have during a conversation with an employee. Also confident people in the workplace will be more in the center of attention at events such as office meetings, while lower status and less confident co-workers will hover near exits and stay near the back of the room (Loo). A big part of the workplace is how an office or work space is set up. In some offices management will have offices, and higher management corner offices, while employees will have cubicles or desks that are close to one another. This shows the distance that management posses by the separation of cubicles from the offices. Dr. Lyle Sussman a professor at the University of Louisville explains how seating

How Close is too Close 7 arrangement in an office is very crucial. Arrangement of furniture and office space can show attitude or personality If an office is arranged for communication, there will be almost a conversation circle, this could be chairs positioned across from a desk or a couch, if none this could show that communication is closed and that the manager does not want to openly communicate with their employees or dose not welcome it. Also the status of power is in place when considering offices, as a coworker you would probably be comfortable stepping behind an associates desk, while it would be an invasion of privacy and an employee would have the lack of authority to be behind a person of managements desk. Dr. Sussman also provides a useful advice for management stating that a Democratic leader will talk to their employees Side-by-Side rather than behind a desk this leads to open communication and a feeling of trust in the work place (citation-dr sussman). Edward T. Hall also studied people in the work place with Fixed and SemiFixed Fixtures. A Fixed Fixture is an unmovable boundary while a Semi-Fixed Fixture is a boundary that is movable(Dr. Sussman).When talking with a table between co-workers a table become a barrier if discussion becomes heated or if communication is between people who are unfamiliar. In the realm of Business Negotiation is a crucial factor. Proxemics strongly affects the success of cooperation for a business transaction. According to Loo knowing how personal space is internally regulated can create better communication with a counterpart. Knowing personal space will stop you from unknowingly violating your counterparts personal space and not cause unnecessary tension (Loo). When taking in consideration your personal space with negotiation

How Close is too Close 8 is prevalent to remember cultural differences if dealing with a client who is not from the culture as you are. Environment and setting is key for negotiation.

How Close is too Close 9

References Chu,Y., Greene, W.E., Ma, J., & Strong, W. F. (2005). Silent Messages in Negotiations: The Role of Non-Verbal Communication in Cross Cultural Business Negotiations. Journal of Organizational Culture, Communication and Conflicts. July, 2005. 2-4.