Purpose: To determine the effect of getting in people’s percutaneous space at school, and make comparisons based on age.
Background Information: Proxemics is the scientific term used for one’s use of space. It was created by Edward Hall. He determine that there are four distinct zones of interpersonal distance; those being: intimate space, personal space, social space, and public space. Intimate space is the closest to the body, and is invaded by touching, such as hugging, and whispering. Personal space, the second closest, is typically the amount of space between friends and family during a comfortable conversation. Social space, the second least close to the body, is typically the amount of space between acquaintances during comfortable conversations (Hall, 1966, p.164).
In addition to levels of interpersonal space, there are three levels of “nearness” to the human body (Hall, 1966, p.77). These are: extrapersonal space, peripersonal space, and percutaneous space. Extrapersonal space is what is outside someone’s reach. Peripersonal space is …show more content…
It is said that people feel discomfort, anger, and anxiety when people invade their personal space (Hall, 1966, p.117). Psychologists have determined that the size of each person’s “personal bubble” differs based on culture. According to Gonzalez, people in the United States, for example, require far more space than people in Spain (What is Personal Space? para. 1). Alternatively, this idea of personal space changes as people age. Infants are hardly concerned with the proximity of their face to another human being’s. This is because they don’t have any concept of personal space bubbles. However, as one reaches adolescence, the size of our desired bubble is usually fixed. Scientists have confirmed that the amygdala, an almond-shaped structure within the brain, is responsible for this change. This area of the brain deals primarily with fear and