3. Edward T. HallEdward T. Hall
Hall coined the term in 1963Hall coined the term in 1963
Proxemics is the study of the codes thatProxemics is the study of the codes that
define space and territory in human socialdefine space and territory in human social
relationsrelations
Distance between individuals, territoriality,Distance between individuals, territoriality,
intimacy gradients, public versus privateintimacy gradients, public versus private
spaces, sacred places, and so on comespaces, sacred places, and so on come
under the rubric of proxemicsunder the rubric of proxemics
4. ProxemesProxemes
Intimate: 0 - 18 inchesIntimate: 0 - 18 inches
– Emotionally charged bubble reserved for family, friends,Emotionally charged bubble reserved for family, friends,
loverslovers
Personal: 1.5 - 4 feetPersonal: 1.5 - 4 feet
– Minimum comfort zone between non-touchingMinimum comfort zone between non-touching
individuals; within reach for handshakes; informalindividuals; within reach for handshakes; informal
distance between friendsdistance between friends
Social: 4 – 12 feetSocial: 4 – 12 feet
– Non-threatening, non-involving; for formal discourse andNon-threatening, non-involving; for formal discourse and
business; minimum distance within which one can gobusiness; minimum distance within which one can go
about their business without seeming rude to othersabout their business without seeming rude to others
Public: 12 feet and beyondPublic: 12 feet and beyond
– Evasive or defensive action possible at this distance;Evasive or defensive action possible at this distance;
communication at this distance highly structured, e.g.,communication at this distance highly structured, e.g.,
lecture, performancelecture, performance
5. Proxemics and CultureProxemics and Culture
Of course, these codes depend on culture andOf course, these codes depend on culture and
history.history.
In North American culture over the last hundredIn North American culture over the last hundred
years, there has been both a decrease in theyears, there has been both a decrease in the
size of the intimate and personal proxeme andsize of the intimate and personal proxeme and
an expansion in the social and personalan expansion in the social and personal
proxeme.proxeme.
In other words, in many cases people demandIn other words, in many cases people demand
much more space between themselves and non-much more space between themselves and non-
intimates while simultaneously requiring lessintimates while simultaneously requiring less
distance between friends, family members, anddistance between friends, family members, and
other intimates.other intimates.
6. John Singleton Copley Colonel William Fitch and His Sisters Sarah and Ann
Fitch, 1800/1801
7. TouchTouch
Touch is another feature of proxemic analysis.Touch is another feature of proxemic analysis.
In Western culture touch is kept at a minimum inIn Western culture touch is kept at a minimum in
public places.public places.
Mothers tend to touch their sons more on theirMothers tend to touch their sons more on their
chest and shoulders, their daughters on thechest and shoulders, their daughters on the
arms and head.arms and head.
In Japanese culture there is a great deal ofIn Japanese culture there is a great deal of
tactile communication in childhood but little aftertactile communication in childhood but little after
adolescence.adolescence.
8. You be the expert!You be the expert!
What proxemic codes govern:What proxemic codes govern:
A handshake between a man and a woman?A handshake between a man and a woman?
Between a man and a man?Between a man and a man?
A party at an undergraduate’s apartment?A party at an undergraduate’s apartment?
A party at your grandparent’s?A party at your grandparent’s?
A first meeting with a prospective employer?A first meeting with a prospective employer?
A solitary study session at a big table in theA solitary study session at a big table in the
library?library?
9. The GazeThe Gaze
Related to proxemics in that the gaze also hasRelated to proxemics in that the gaze also has
implications for emotional distance and intimacy.implications for emotional distance and intimacy.
Frequency, duration, and direction of gaze hasFrequency, duration, and direction of gaze has
social consequences.social consequences.
Phatic function: for initiation and maintenance ofPhatic function: for initiation and maintenance of
communication.communication.
– Looking away signals a desire to keep speaking.Looking away signals a desire to keep speaking.
– Staring indicates a desire for the other to take a turn.Staring indicates a desire for the other to take a turn.
10. The Gaze con’tThe Gaze con’t
Expressive function: the eyes (more correctly,Expressive function: the eyes (more correctly,
the muscles and tissue around the eyes) canthe muscles and tissue around the eyes) can
signal emotion.signal emotion.
Conative function: When the message isConative function: When the message is
focused on the receiver, the gaze of the senderfocused on the receiver, the gaze of the sender
can indicate levels of intimacy, hostility, and socan indicate levels of intimacy, hostility, and so
on, e.g., “if looks could kill” .on, e.g., “if looks could kill” .
Can also register disdain, aloofness, or lowCan also register disdain, aloofness, or low
solidarity towards the receiver if the gaze issolidarity towards the receiver if the gaze is
withdrawn.withdrawn.
