1) Personal space and use of space varies across cultures, with some cultures preferring closer physical distances in conversation and interaction than others. 2) Edward Hall developed the concept of proxemics to study how different cultures use personal space and territoriality. There are different zones of social distance, from intimate to public, with unwritten rules about proximity for different types of interactions. 3) Cultural norms around personal space and territoriality can depend on climate, with colder northern cultures typically preferring more physical distance than warm weather Mediterranean cultures. Reactions to perceived invasions of territorial space also vary cross-culturally.

1. CHAPTER 8
NONVERBAL INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
SPACE

2. INTRODUCTION
The use of space functions
as an important
communication system in
all cultures.

3. Important Features
 2 important features of the way culture use the
space around them are:
- the different needs for personal space
- the messages that are used to indicate territoriality

4. Cultural Differences in the Use
of Personal Space
 We are surrounded by a personal space “bubble”
 Proxemics (Edward Hall):
- The study of how people differ in their use of personal space,
social and public
- Characterised by:
 differences in the ways that people relate to one another
 the behaviours that typify the communication that will probably
occur in them

5. Zones of Spatial Difference Typical of European
Americans
Spatial
Distance
Zone
Spatial
Distance
(in feet)
Usage Other
Characteristics
Intimate 0- 1 ½ Loving; comforting;
protecting; fighting
Minimal
conversations;
smell & feel of
other; eye contact
unlikely
Personal 1 ½- 4 Conversations with
intimates, friends and
acquaintances
Touch possible;
much visual detail
Social 4-12 Impersonal and social
gatherings
More formal tone;
some visual detail
lost; eye contact
likely
Public 12-up Lectures; concert;
plays; speeches;
ceremonies;
protection
Subtle details lost;
only obvious
attributes noticed

7. INTIMATE

8. PERSONAL

9. PUBLIC

10. Personal Space
o Culture specific
- Colder climates: large physical distances
 northern European
- Warm weather climates: close distances
 Mediterranean
o Germany, Scandinavia, England vs. France, Mediterranean
countries (Italy, Greece, Spain)
 Italian vs. Norwegian
 Move closer (comfort zone for conversation) vs. move
backward (maintain the “correct” conversational distance)

11. Habitual
 The habitual use of the culturally proper spacing
distance is accompanied by a predictable level and kind
of sensory information
- Personal conversation with acquaintance
 3 ft.
Accustomed to: sights, sounds, smells
 Accustomed > 3ft.
Too close, out of normal focal range, sound too loud, smell
the breath

12. Cultural Differences in Territoriality
 Territoriality:
- the need to protect and defend a particular spatial area
- a set of behaviours that people display to show that they
“own” or have the right to control the use of a particular
geographic area

14. Marking
 Formally:
- Actual barriers
 Fences
 Signs : No Trespassing, Keep Off the Grass
 Informally:
- Nonverbal markers
 Clothing
 Books

16. Cultures can differ in the …
 General degree of territoriality that its members tend to exhibit
- Some cultures > territorial than others
 Range of possible places or spaces about which they are territorial
- European Americans & German: highly territorial
- Strong tendency to establish areas considered as theirs
 Typical reactions exhibited in response to invasions or
contaminations of their territory
- Withdrawing / avoiding
- Insulating – territorial invasion
- Forcefully / vigorously

18. References
 Google Image
 Koester, J. & Lustig M.W. (2010). Boston: Pearson