Difference between revisions of "Proxemics"

Revision as of 17:58, 25 September 2011

Definition

The word proxemic is used to describe the different levels of space around a person in social situations. For instance, there is inter-personal space, extra-personal space, and so on. When speaking, one's proximal space quite large. On the Internet, one's digital presence can be large or small depending on their research, presence, and the awareness of their identity by others. Proxemics are often unstated rules of culture and culture groups.

"Auxiliary communication devices that generally assure clarity by transmitting the same message in different ways at the same time. These include variations in tone and character of voice along with such non-verbal forms of communication as kinesics, proxemics, clothing, and makeup".^[1]

History

The concept of Proxemics was first introduced by Edward T. Hall in his book The Hidden Dimension^[2] in 1966. "Body spacing and posture," according to Hall, "are unintentional reactions to sensory fluctuations or shifts, such as subtle changes in the sound and pitch of a person's voice. Social distance between people is reliably correlated with physical distance, as are intimate and personal distance...".^[3]

Cultural Differences

Interpersonal space differs country to country. In the United States the space between people in social situations is larger than the space between cultural groups in Latin America or the Middle East. For instance, "in much of Asia, people gravitate towards other people. For example, if you are alone in an elevator in the Philippines and another person enters, he will probably stand right next to you. That person doesn't want to speak to you; it's just the local custom. If you are sitting in an Indian movie theater surrounded by empty seats and an Indian enters, he is likely to sit next to you. And in Indonesia, if you are standing on a virtually empty escalator, an Indonesian may walk down until he is standing on the same step as you. This sort of behavior often drives North Americans to distraction, but it is considered appropriate in many parts of the world".^[4]

Paralanguage

The concept of proxemics is a part of paralanguage. In real life, non-verbal communication such as stance, spatial distance, and non-verbal communications such as gestures and clothing make up paralanguage, contributing to 70% of a communication pattern.^[5] Online, paralanguage takes the form of profile pictures, wall posts and other creations of self, as these are the non-verbal ways in which online participants build their identity online.

References

1. ↑ Palomar Community College Anthropology Department Cultural Anthropology Terms
2. ↑ Hall, Edward T. (1966). The Hidden Dimension. Anchor Books. ISBN 0-385-08476-5.
3. ↑ Wikipedia article on Proxemics
4. ↑ Global Business Basics - The Problems of Proxemics by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway, 2004.
5. ↑ Engleberg, Isa N. Working in Groups: Communication Principles and Strategies. My Communication Kit Series, 2006. Pg. 133.