Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://doi.org/10.25358/openscience-191
Authors: Welsch, Robin
Castell, Christoph von
Hecht, Heiko
Title: The anisotropy of personal space
Online publication date: 15-Aug-2019
Year of first publication: 2019
Language: english
Abstract: Violations of personal space are associated with discomfort. However, the exact function linking the magnitude of discomfort to interpersonal distance has not yet been specified. In this study, we explore whether interpersonal distance and discomfort are isotropic with respect to uncomfortably far or close distances. We also extend previous findings with regard to intrusions into personal space as well as maintenance of distances outside of personal space. We presented subjects with 15 interpersonal distances ranging from 40 to 250 cm and obtained verbal and joystick-based ratings of discomfort. Whereas discomfort rose immediately when personal space was entered, the gradient was less steep for distances that exceeded the comfort region of personal space. Thus, personal space is anisotropic with regard to experienced discomfort.
DDC: 150 Psychologie
150 Psychology
Institution: Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Department: FB 02 Sozialwiss., Medien u. Sport
Place: Mainz
ROR: https://ror.org/023b0x485
DOI: http://doi.org/10.25358/openscience-191
URN: urn:nbn:de:hebis:77-publ-591831
Version: Published version
Publication type: Zeitschriftenaufsatz
License: CC BY
Information on rights of use: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Journal: PLOS ONE
14
6
Pages or article number: e0217587
Publisher: PLOS
Publisher place: San Francisco, California, US
Issue date: 2019
ISSN: 1932-6203
Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217587
Publisher DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217587
Appears in collections:JGU-Publikationen

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