Cultural anthropologist Edward T. Hall coined the term, proxemics, to describe how humans use space. Think about how much room—or space—you put between yourself and loved ones, friends, colleagues, and strangers. It varies, doesn’t it? This is the nonverbal code that we will delve into on this video: Proxemics. First, a caveat: This is a deeper look, not a comprehensive discussion of this area of study in nonverbal communication that you can find with a few well-placed clicks on your keyboard. Okay, let’s get started. Keep in mind as we go through this that the use of space varies between cultures: If you are from a Western culture like the United States and your friend is from Latin America, you probably feel a bit uncomfortable when your friend stands a little closer to you than you would like—you feel as if she is “crowding” you or encroaching on your personal space, sometimes called your personal space bubble. You may also see this difference in personal space within cultures: Men, as an example, tend to desire twice as much space between them as women—and, yes, culture refers to more than race or ethnicity. Space also varies based upon the occasion. If you are working on a project with someone, you will probably reduce the amount of space between you—if only so you can all see the computer screen. If you are posing for a photograph, it’s very common to hear the photographer plead for you all to “stand closer together” and “act as if you like each other.” And, of course, as we are all individuals, we all have our own individual preferences about space. However, that doesn’t negate the research on proxemics. Back to Edward Hall and his findings on proxemics. While Hall’s research was conducted in the United States in the 1960’s, the basic concepts can be applied across cultures and still seem relevant today. For example, the distance between communicators typically helps us identify the type of relationship they have. Okay, in this first photo, there are probably other nonverbal indicators that communicate that these two are sisters, like a family resemblance. And in the second photo, the two men are co-workers in the U.K. enjoying a quick pint after a hard day of guidingus tourists around their country. Additionally, proxemic behavior tends to be learned implicitly by observing others; we are less likely to explicitly “instruct” others as to what an appropriate distance is in various situations. Hall identified four “zones,” or distances, starting with “intimate” distance, ranging between 0 and 18 inches. Yes, 0”, or skin contact. This is the distance used for romantic partners and very close or your “core” family members: You kiss, hug, whisper, even fight at this distance. Extending that distance out to 4 feet creates personal distance. Your extended family members and close friends are allowed to enter this zone. Of course, you will invite or tolerate only some at the closer range; others you’ll keep at arm’s distance. Social distance, at 4 to 12 feet, is often used for acquaintances and colleagues. And beyond 12 feet is classified as public distance, often used in public speaking situations and with strangers you want to maintain your distance from. These distances, of course, are measured horizontally. However, vertical distances can also be analyzed. For example, a person standing above you may be perceived as having higher status, like a supervisor or, for young children, a parent. If you want to minimize status differences, such as a teacher communicating with a student, you often place yourself on the same vertical plane. We even have a phrase for this: we “come down to their level.” Another way to look at space is Territoriality, which is how we use space and objects to communicate “occupancy” or “ownership” of space. There are four types of “territories”: Body, Primary, Secondary, and Public. To some degree, we’ve already addressed body territory, as it refers to the personal space, or “bubble,” that we keep around ourselves. Unlike the rest of the types of territories, this one is mobile; you carry it around with you as you go about your day. The remaining three territories are stationary. Primary territory relates to where we “live,” like your room, your house, your private office, or your vehicle. In fact, another term for it is “home” territory. You have continuous control over your primary territory. You feel really comfortable there and violated if someone enters it without your permission. We feel we “own” it and are allowed to do anything we want there. Secondary territory, sometimes called “interactional” territory, is a place where a norm is expected and you expect to see the same people there on a consistent basis. For example, your work location. You view it as “yours,” but there are people who are consistently there and are expected to be there. If you work at a school, you expect to see your colleagues, students, and so on there. And there are certain behaviors—norms—that they are expected to follow. You would not expect, for example, to see a famous actor being filmed there. The final territory, public, is a space that is open and accessible to anyone. Virtually anyone can go to a public park or a movie theater. And, when you are in a public space, your personal space bubble comes with you and is very obvious. When a stranger joins you in an elevator, you move to the side to maintain your personal space. Notice, however, that what is a primary territory for one person may be a secondary territory for another. I have a private office at my college that is my primary territory. When students visit me in my office, it is secondary territory to them. And if prospective students and their parents are visiting for a college tour, the area is a public territory to them. There is one other aspect to discuss about territoriality, which is the use of territorial markers. We want to protect our space—or what we perceive to be our territory—so we mark it in some way by using objects or, in some cases, our bodies. There are three types of territorial markers: The first is central markers which are used to identify our personal space. If you arrive early to a classroom, for example, you may “save your space” by putting your backpack on the table or chair—or even on the seat next to you. We may use our hand to indicate that a seat is “taken” or “saved” for someone else. Boundary markers define the boundaries of your territory: they represent a physical barrier meant to keep others out, like a closed door or a fence. The third, earmarkers, are what you do to your objects to identify them as yours—your territory. A sign you place on your property telling others to keep out, or labeling your lunch bag so that everyone knows to keep their hands out of it. While there is more to the subject than what we’ve just covered, the underlying premise is that proxemics relates to space, or proximity, and we use space to communicate status (as in the size or location of your office or home), relationships (who’s important to us and who’s not), territory (what do I consider mine), and so on. What are you communicating with how you use space?