How to maintain the correct distance when communicating: communication zones

Personal zones in different cultures

In his research, Edward Hall, as befits a professional cultural scientist, paid great attention to intercultural differences and analyzed various cultures.
In the course of studying the spatial perception of representatives of different nations, Hall established several features that are worth paying attention to for anyone interested in the topic of proxemics in general and the topic of improving relationships with others in particular . Here are a few of Hall’s observations:

representatives of Western culture focus not on the space between objects, but on the objects themselves; The Japanese are more receptive to in-between spaces, i.e. to the intervals between people and objects; North Americans and Europeans prefer to furnish rooms along the walls and separate them with baseboards and edgings; The Chinese and Japanese love sliding walls because

this allows them to use the same spaces for different purposes; Arabs, when touching their interlocutor, strive to express sympathy, while the Japanese perceive such gestures negatively; residents of many Arab countries, the Mediterranean and Latin America have smaller spatial bubble sizes than residents of Western Europe, Australia and North America; in Brazil it is quite common to talk in a personal and intimate area, which causes considerable discomfort, for example, to visiting Americans or Western Europeans; The social distance of Russians is less than that of Americans, but greater than that of Latin Americans.

National characteristics have a huge impact on people's communication, and they should always be taken into account. It is precisely because of ignorance of the intricacies of spatial perception that misunderstandings and conflicts can often occur between people.

The same Japanese person, who was touched by an Arab while expressing good attitude, will be discouraged by his “unceremoniousness,” and the Arab will perceive the Japanese’s distance as arrogance. A Russian or Brazilian can put an American in an awkward position by constantly closing the distance, because this is how he is used to communicating in his country, and an American will seem to a Russian or Brazilian to be a suspicious type who avoids people, but in the USA it is simply customary to be located at a greater distance from a communication partner .

There are many such examples, and they all indicate that we must respect other people’s spatial norms, because the same communication means can be perceived differently even by people in the same country, not to mention different cultures.

Proxemics can be a wonderful tool and means of communication, and by and large, anyone can easily acquire knowledge of spatial relationships. You just need to set a goal, communicate wisely and always remember that everyone deserves to be treated with respect.

We wish you good luck in improving your communication skills, and finally, we offer some communication tips from psychologist Evgeniy Zakharov.

Proxemic means of communication

Space

acts as a special sign system and carries a semantic load.
The American scientist Edward Hall was one of the first to study the spatial structure of communication. He also coined the term “proxemics” (from the English proximity –
closeness). This is the distance that people keep when communicating (see Table 6).

Table 6 - Communication distances characteristic of North American culture

Allan Pease in his book “Body Language” writes that distances are the same for a person of average social level, regardless of where he lives: in North America, England or Australia.

The choice of distance depends on:

— relationships between people (people stand closer to those they sympathize with);

— individual characteristics of a person (for example, introverts do not tolerate too close a distance);

- cultural and national differences (for example, the Japanese have an intimate zone of 25 cm, while Americans have up to 50 cm; Americans believe that Asians are familiar and overly “pressure”; Asians believe that Americans are “cold and too official”);

— population density of people in the place where people grew up (for people who grew up in densely populated cities, their personal space is 46 cm, and people from rural areas and small regional towns can have a personal zone of up to 1.2 m. Violation of the optimal communication distance is perceived negatively .

Proxemic characteristics of communication include not only distance, but also the relative position of people in space (see Figure 4). It is also necessary to take into account the rotation of the body and the toe of the foot in the direction of the partner or away from him, which signals the direction of thoughts.

The creation of a psychological atmosphere during communication is significantly influenced not only by the location of the interlocutors at the table, but also by the shape of the tables themselves. A square or rectangular table, which is usually a work desk, should be used for business conversations, negotiations, and briefings. A round table should be used for a relaxed, informal atmosphere; he is good if you need to reach an agreement.

Figure 4 – Positions of the communicating parties and their significance for communication

Relationships between people take place not only in space, but also in time .

The way a person manages his or her time and that of others is an important social sign (e.g., being late, arriving early, time culture). Accuracy and punctuality of behavior indicate respect for the other person. If you make someone else wait, then you are declaring your right to control the situation.

Boundaries of interpersonal communication and their characteristics

Edward Hall identified 4 spatial boundaries for communication , each of which implies maintaining a certain distance from a person upon contact:

1. Intimate . A person can be at a distance of 10-15 cm to 40 cm from us upon contact. Only our closest friends, family, and people with whom we have intimate relationships are allowed into this zone. She is characterized by frequent touching, hugs, a quiet voice, and trust.
2. Personal. This zone has boundaries from 40-45 cm to 100 cm. It includes people with whom we most often come into contact during business communications with colleagues, meetings with friends and acquaintances.
   Personal distance only implies confident visual contact with communicating people, and only sometimes socially determined touching.

   For example, shaking hands when meeting, patting the outside of the arm from the elbow to the shoulder.

3. Social . The boundaries of this zone are from 1 m to 3-4 m. It is observed during business meetings in spacious rooms - usually of a distinctly official nature, as well as in classrooms and classrooms when contacting students.
4. Public . It has boundaries of 4 m. It is observed when speaking in front of a large group of people - for example, at a concert, rally or in the so-called live audience.

The indicated boundaries of spatial communication zones may also vary somewhat depending on the following factors:

1. From a person's self-esteem and confidence . In this case, a violation of the communication distance or its reduction occurs on the initiative of a more active person who is confident in his abilities. But people with low self-esteem tend to stay a little away from their interlocutor, sometimes even retreating, taking a step back.
2. From the individual psychological characteristics of a person. Cholerics and extroverts also have more compressed boundaries of communication, while phlegmatic people and introverts strive to expand their intimate zone. At the same time, they tend not only to protect their own boundaries, but also not to violate the intimate area of ​​their interlocutor.
3. From the conditions of upbringing.
   Those people who grew up without siblings and also had their own room in childhood, as a rule, in adulthood need more extensive personal space than children who grew up in cramped conditions. At the same time, the attitude laid down by parents towards a person’s personal boundaries is also greatly affected.
4. From nationality. Different peoples also have their own traditional distances for communication. For example, they are more extensive among the Japanese and residents of Northern Europe, who avoid touching when communicating and try to keep a respectful distance from the interlocutor, but the more temperamental peoples of the Caucasus, Italians, and Latin Americans allow closer contact with the interlocutor.

Facial expressions as a means of communication.

Facial expressions, or facial expressions, are the most important aspect of nonverbal communication.

The importance of facial expressions is such that in its absence (for example, as a result of illness), communication is impossible. Why is the face so important? First of all, because it is the main channel for transmitting human emotions

Contraction of the facial muscles changes facial expression and signals a person’s condition. Emotional manifestations consist of spontaneous and voluntary facial reactions.

Emotions often have to be masked, that is, they have to demonstrate the opposite. For example, we often mask emotions such as jealousy or disappointment. Some people are better at controlling their facial expressions, others are worse. However, given the circumstances, we all have to manage our facial expressions quite often.

Despite the fact that each person is an experienced interpreter of the facial reactions of other people, his conclusions depend on many subjective reasons. Someone may not notice the obvious expression on their partner’s face for a long time, trying to protect themselves from hurtful information; another, on the contrary, sees only those signs that confirm his attitude and forecast regarding the situation. The third one notices only those emotions that are characteristic of himself, without perceiving what is alien to him.

Eye contact is also a substructure of kinesics, primarily performing the function of regulating conversation.

Eye contact can also indicate emotional relationships between partners. A long look can be a sign of falling in love. The fact is that direct eye contact can be compared to touch; it psychologically shortens the distance between people. Sometimes such a look may be inappropriate and cause anxiety, fear, or irritation in the person being looked at. Direct gaze “without consent” is often perceived as a threat, a desire for dominance. If you are looking at a person of the opposite sex, then a long look into the eyes can be understood as an intimate proposal.

The lack of direct gaze is also dangerous - a person, especially if he is in a dependent position, may have the impression that communicating with him is a burden, that he is not interesting.

What effect does breaking these distances have on a person?

Violation of human boundaries in space occurs quite often - say, in an elevator or public transport, when strangers are forced to stand very close, and sometimes even touch each other.

At the same time, the reaction is almost always the same - people try to show a minimal emotional response and try to avoid eye contact. In public transport, people look out the windows, and in the elevator at the floor indicator, while everyone tries to make a minimum of movements.

This is due to the fact that even a forced violation by another person of the permissible boundaries of communication can lead to discomfort. Invasion of personal space on an unconscious level can be perceived as a threat.

Note 2

Incorrect violation of distance during communication can lead to rejection from the interlocutor. If you allow yourself to touch a new acquaintance after a few minutes of meeting him, he may regard this as an interference in his personal space and will try to avoid you in the future.

As a result, this can make it difficult to build trusting relationships not only in the business sphere, but also in the personal sphere.

Spatial arrangement of interlocutors

Proxemics studies not only the distance at which interlocutors stand, but also the features of their orientation in space in relation to each other. Business training specialists know that the success of business negotiations largely depends on the atmosphere that reigns in the office. Therefore, they recommend that managers seat business partners in such a way that they are psychologically prepared for constructive communication.

Very often, during business or friendly communication, interlocutors sit at the table. Based on this, psychologists identify four types of positions that communication participants can occupy.

• Corner location. In this case, the interlocutors are placed diagonally, separated by the corner of the table. This is usually how friends, relatives and good friends communicate. In this position, the interlocutor is clearly visible, and you can freely observe his gestures and pantomimes. The corner of the table acts as a small dividing barrier, necessary to maintain the psychological comfort of the individual. In a corner location, there is no table division within the area.
• Business communication position. In this case, the interlocutors are located side by side, on one side of the table. This arrangement is usually occupied by people who do collaborative work. This position makes it very convenient to review documents together.
• Competitive-defensive position. In this case, the interlocutors sit opposite each other on opposite sides of the table. This position is taken by opponents, each of whom has their own view of the problem under discussion. It is this arrangement of partners that can often be seen in business negotiations. The interlocutors, who are in a competitive and defensive position, are separated by a table, and this does not contribute to creating an atmosphere of confidential, relaxed conversation. If partners want to find a solution to a problem that will suit both parties, it is advisable for them to take a different position, for example a corner position.
• Independent position. In this case, people are located on opposite sides of the table away from each other, and if they are sitting on a bench, they try to move away. This arrangement indicates that they are not interested in communicating with each other. You can see people sitting this way in a library reading room, in a cafe or on a park bench.

It is not without reason that the heads of many companies try to conduct business negotiations not at a rectangular table, but at a round table. A table without corners subconsciously sets partners up for a peaceful conversation. Interlocutors sitting at a round table feel in the same position, and therefore are more inclined to compromise.

To summarize, we can say that proxemics is a necessary and useful area of ​​psychology. By studying the features of spatial relationships between people, you can understand the character of any interlocutor or business partner and find an approach to him.

Keep your distance or safe distance when communicating

But communication is not only the transfer of information. This interaction, without which our life would be meaningless. Over time, we begin to communicate with our peers, and then with everyone who already knows how to do this. We occupy certain social roles, form an opinion about ourselves, thanks to the reactions of those around us, and outline our boundaries. The only thing we are not taught at all is spatial positions when communicating. Of course, in the process of development, we ourselves begin to understand and grasp this, but on an unconscious level. And for some professions, negotiation is the main activity. And not all people can understand these spatial positions. Therefore, a number of people have difficulty when they try to make verbal contact.

If we discard all the learned phrases and thoughts, we can simply say that in order to successfully talk with someone, you need to know at what distance it is best to be from your interlocutor. The distance depends only on your relationship with him. And sometimes it happens that a person, by his posture, is trying to tell us something, but we don’t understand it. For example, you came to visit your friend, so to speak, out of the blue. You plop down on the couch and start babbling about how great your new boyfriend is. But your friend does not sit next to you, but still lingers in the corridor or near the exit from the room. And, it seems, he nods his head affirmatively and smiles sweetly, but internally, you feel some kind of tension. We do not always attach importance to this, and continue our story. Afterwards, it turns out that her boyfriend is supposed to come to her friend, or even better, she urgently needs to go somewhere. But she can't tell you this because you are so passionate about your story that she doesn't want to offend you.

How to understand where in this situation the friend still said that she could not listen to the heartbreaking story right now? And so. The fact that she still remains standing when you are sitting and talking about the fact that the person is not going to drag out the conversation. He is in a position that will allow him to leave at any moment. Do you notice when someone is standing next to you, you want to tell him: “Don’t stand over your soul.” This is because the person, scientifically speaking - not verbally, tells you that “you shouldn’t have settled here.” More details about this position below.

Here's another case. We are traveling in densely packed public transport. There’s really nowhere to go here, and our entire territory is filled with other people. But if someone tries to talk to us, literally pressing their nose against our forehead, we do not arbitrarily turn our heads away from him. At the same time, we feel some discomfort. And when our beloved whispers words of passion to us, being in the same position as a fellow traveler in transport, we, on the contrary, turn our gaze towards him, and not only that. Why is that? Because this distance, at a distance of approximately 30 cm, is called intimate. Well, we won’t let just anyone into our intimate distance. Now I think it’s worth talking about all the spatial positions that arise throughout our lives.

intimate distance

As mentioned above, an intimate distance applies up to 30 cm. Only selected people are allowed into it. And if someone gets into it without an “invitation,” we will turn away or inform that the interlocutor should take a step back. We should consider the same thing when we try to talk to someone. If we try to attack the intimate area of ​​our interlocutor, firstly, he may misunderstand us and consider this as flirting; and, secondly, if we are unpleasant to him, or we are of the same sex, then the interlocutor will think that we are poorly brought up.

Friendly distance

Approximately 50 cm is a friendly distance. Somehow we can now let in a travel companion here. But, as a rule, we keep this distance when talking with girlfriends and friends. This is convenient because no one invades the intimate space, and at the same time, our faces are not very far from each other. This allows for a successful and fun conversation to take place.

Social distance

1.5 meters is a social position. It is very convenient for business negotiations or for friends who have not seen each other for a long time. The table at which businessmen negotiate must allow this distance to be maintained without decreasing or increasing it. At this distance, the most optimal assimilation of information occurs, people feel comfortable because no one limits their space and at the same moment, their message is always available, there is no need to shout or speak very loudly. When in a business conversation, a person feels that they are trying to occupy his space, he intuitively wants to complete such negotiations. This is explained by the fact that limited space causes a feeling of cramped space in which the brain cannot think smoothly and gradually. And thoughts begin to flow chaotically, causing turmoil.

Formal distance

2.5 meters is a formal position. Convenient for non-verbal communication. Let's say you are walking down the street, and a not very pleasant acquaintance is walking across the road. The best option is to adhere to this position. You raise your hand or nod your head in greeting, and she responds in kind. Everyone is happy. And they didn’t offend the person, and they didn’t strain themselves.

Seated interlocutor

The case when you like to stand next to a seated interlocutor may indicate that you are a person who loves to dominate. That is, to surpass, to hold power. Well, in the case when you are sitting and your interlocutor is standing above you, it may mean that he is in a hurry or that he is trying to suppress you. And if you are comfortable when you are sitting and your partner is standing, then this probably means that you like to be dominated.

Both partners are standing

The position when both partners are standing is convenient for business negotiations and short friendly conversations. Although it should be taken into account that tension between the interlocutors remains, and the outcome of the conversation will not always be correct. Because both people subconsciously either want to end the conversation as quickly as possible, or sit down and continue it. And a conversation that suddenly ends will not always be the one we expect. Or a person may not keep his word given in this position. Because he only thought about how to leave quickly, and made a promise that he immediately forgot about.

Both interlocutors are sitting

Both interlocutors are sitting - as soon as this position is adopted, no matter what type of conversation it is, it becomes more soulful. Partners relax both physically and mentally, and in this position it is easier to have a conversation. Maybe that’s why they came up with the idea of ​​inviting each other for coffee or dinner. When you can sit, eat (which also strengthens relationships), and, of course, talk. If you need a positive outcome of the conversation, then this move is your trump card.

Backs to each other

Backs to each other. This position is not convenient for people who do not know each other well. We can talk to our close friend even in this position. But with a person we don’t know well, we need eye contact. From it, first of all, we begin to understand who it is in front of us. And what makes it possible to predict his behavior.

How convenient

The next time you have a conversation with someone, pay attention to what posture and position your interlocutor will choose. Considering all of the above, you will be able to understand what kind of person is in front of you, and if you need to get something from him, then what is the best position you should take. Also, do not forget that someone will want to influence you. And also observe how people position themselves around you.

Types of distances during communication

Edward Hall identified four types of distances that interlocutors maintain in the communication process: intimate, personal, social and public distance. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

intimate distance

A person maintains an intimate distance only when communicating with the closest people - family members, lovers. Close friends also often use intimate distance when communicating. It ranges from 15 to 50 cm. The closer the relationship between the interlocutors, the shorter their distance. For example, couples in love often strive to reduce their distance to a minimum.

Psychologists have noticed that the size of intimate distance varies among representatives of different countries. This is due to the peculiarities of the culture and traditions of each nation.

While in the intimate area, the interlocutors have the opportunity to touch each other. Insufficiently sociable people try to expand their intimate distance, especially when communicating with unfamiliar people. As a rule, they avoid crowds and public transport, where passengers are forced to literally hug each other.

Individuals prone to aggression unconsciously strive to increase their intimate distance. To do this, they can sit lounging on a chair, wave their arms during a conversation, and spread their legs wide apart. Penetration of another person into their intimate area often causes aggression and discontent.

People who like each other try to keep a close distance. If a person dislikes his interlocutor, he unconsciously strives to move further away from him. Loving spouses have a very short intimate distance. Married couples who are unhappy with their relationship, on the contrary, increase their intimate area.

Personal distance

The personal zone is used in friendly and business communication. Its distance ranges from 50 to 120 cm. Personal distance can also be divided into near and far. The near one is intended for communication with friends and relatives, and the far one is for colleagues and business partners.

National characteristics also influence the size of personal distance. For example, in Russia it is customary to be much closer to the interlocutor than in the USA. Americans prefer to communicate with each other at a greater distance, and Russians may perceive this state of affairs as disrespect or arrogance. Therefore, people who come to a foreign country often experience discomfort.

In addition to national characteristics, personal distance is also influenced by a person’s individual characteristics. For example, extroverts, optimists, sociable and self-confident people try to stay close to their interlocutor. But introverts, people who have a negative worldview, are unsure of themselves and suffer from complexes, on the contrary, strive to increase the distance between themselves and their interlocutor.

Age factors also influence personal distance. Children and older people like to be close, while young people and middle-aged people tend to sit further away from their interlocutor. This is explained by the degree of self-confidence and personal security.

Social distance

The distance intended for communication with unfamiliar and unfamiliar people, as well as business partners with whom you do not meet very often, is called social distance. Its size is 120–350 cm. It is at this distance that people who are unfamiliar with each other usually stay.

Social distance allows you to look away from your interlocutor if you don’t want to communicate with him, and thereby show him your disinterest in the subject of the conversation.

Public distance

This distance is intended for speaking in front of an audience. Its size ranges from 350 to 750 cm. It is at this distance that the person speaking in front of the group is usually located. In small rooms, the lecturer, speaker or artist is located at a closer distance to the audience, and in large halls - at a further distance. Public distance is not intended for dating, but only for performances.

Distance in communication

Among non-verbal systems, distance, or the organization of the space of the communicative process, is given considerable importance. For example, placing partners face to face promotes contact, while shouting in the back will most likely cause a negative defensive reaction from the person.

American researcher Edward Hall, in his essay “Our Silent Language,” based on his observations of the characteristics of communication among different peoples, showed the importance of space for organizing communication. How does spatial placement affect the interlocutors’ perception of each other, the resulting emotional experiences and ideas about the interlocutor’s personality traits? Here again it makes sense to observe the behavior of animals.

Most animals live in a strictly defined spatial zone, which they consider their own territory. How large and how far this territory extends depends mainly on how densely populated the places in which these animals live are. A lion living in the vast African savanna can have a habitat with a radius of up to 50 km. He marks this territory in a special way and tries to prevent strangers from entering it. However, if a lion grew up in a cage with other lions, his personal territory may be limited to just a few meters, which is a direct consequence of overcrowding in the habitat.

Man also has his own territory. It would be more correct to say that this is not a territory, but a space, an air shell that surrounds the human body on all sides. The dimensions of the shell depend on the population density of people in their places of residence. And although no one teaches us how close we can get to another person, we subconsciously know at what distance it is more convenient to talk with a close friend, and at what distance with a suspicious stranger.

The science of proxemics is now studying the norms of spatial and temporal organization of communication. The founder of proxemics, E. Hall, proposed a special method for assessing the intimacy of communication based on studying the organization of its space. At the same time, he identified four clear spatial zones, which, like concentric circles on a target or on water, surround each other.

1. Intimate area (from 15 to 45 cm). Of all the zones, this is the most important, since it is this zone that a person guards as if it were his property. Only those persons who are in close emotional contact with him are allowed to enter this area. These are children, parents, spouses, lovers, close friends and relatives. In this zone, one can distinguish another subzone with a radius of 15 cm, into which one can penetrate only through physical contact. In fact, this is already a zone of touching another person. Very few people are allowed to touch. That's why it's called the hyper-intimate zone.

2. Personal zone (from 45 to 120 cm). This distance is used in everyday communication with familiar people. Remember how far away you are when you visit your neighbors. This distance usually separates us when we are at receptions, formal evenings and friendly parties.

3. Social zone (from 120 to 400 cm). At this distance we communicate during official meetings with strangers. Each of us was called to the blackboard more than once at school. How far from the teacher did you stay? We also meet a plumber or carpenter who came to do repairs in our house, a postman, a new employee at work. That is, such a distance is accepted when communicating with people whom we do not know very well.

4. Public or public area (more than 4 m). When communicating with large groups of people, it will be more convenient for both the lecturer and the listeners to transmit and perceive information at such a distance from each other. Remember the design of an arena in a circus, a stage in a theater, a pulpit in a church - in each case the need to communicate with a large audience is taken into account. Violation of this distance can cause different consequences. If a circus clown climbs over a barrier and sits on someone's lap, this causes laughter, and if a teacher leaves his seat and approaches a student, this is perceived as a threat.

Violation of the intimate zone by one person or another is carried out for various reasons, which can be divided into three groups.

The first is when the person approaching is our relative or very close friend. As a rule, we ourselves desire this closeness and respond to the approach of a loved one in the same way. Although, of course, approach and touch have different meanings among representatives of different cultures. They are, for example, an integral element of communication in Africa and the Middle East. One observer calculated that a couple sitting at a restaurant table in Paris makes 110 mutual touches in one hour, in London - none, and in Jacksonville (USA) - about eight.

The second reason for excessive proximity is related to the need to move together in transport, elevators, and queues. You can often hear how people traveling on public transport to work during rush hours are called pathetic, unhappy, depressed. These epithets are usually used because these people have expressionless faces, but outside observers are mistaken in their assessments. They simply see how people conscientiously follow the rules of behavior in the face of the inevitable intrusion of strangers into their intimate area.

The third is when the “violator” shows hostile intentions and aggression. Such an invasion of our intimate area by strangers causes both an external protest and an internal physiological reaction. The body, as it were, is preparing to remove the “intruder”: the heart begins to beat more powerfully and faster, hormones and nutrients are released into the blood, and it flows to the brain and muscles, breathing deepens and becomes more frequent. All this indicates the physical readiness of our body for fight or flight. Some people consciously use this human need to get rid of unpleasant contact. American psychologists have found that touch has a special meaning for beggars: one woman, begging for 25-cent coins from passers-by, received much more of them when she touched their hand than when she expressed her request only in words.

When you touch the hand or hug someone you just met in a completely sincere and friendly manner, it may cause them to react negatively towards you. Even if they smile at you and pretend that they like it, so as not to offend you.

If you want people to feel comfortable in your company, follow the main rule of communication distance: “the more intimate our relationship with another person, the closer we are allowed to penetrate into his zone.” For example, a student who has just arrived in class at first may think that the team treats him very coolly. However, schoolchildren simply keep him at a social distance because they don’t know him well. As his classmates get to know him better, the radius of communication between them shrinks, and eventually he is allowed to move into communication within the personal zone, and in some cases penetrate into the intimate zone.

Changing your personal spatial zone

The size of your personal spatial zone can change under the influence of various factors. We have already noted one of them - the proximity of the people communicating. Observe, for example, how the people around you communicate within the intimate zone. The lovers press their bodies against each other and are inside each other's intimate zone. The distance will be completely different if strangers are kissing. For example, someone wishes you Happy New Year; or a distant friend of your grandmother came and definitely wants to kiss you. In this case, you will move your lower body as far as possible, trying to get out of the intimate area.

Another factor that determines the distance between communicating can be called social age. Scientists note that the greater the age difference between communicating people, the greater the distance between them. When communicating with peers, we are somewhat closer than when communicating with a person much older than us in age. The same is true when communicating with a person of higher social status. Schoolchildren communicate with their class teacher at a shorter distance than, say, with the head teacher or school principal.

The reason for this probably lies in the fact that greatness is often associated with the size of a person. Australian psychologist Paul R. Wilson showed that a person's height in the eyes of strangers is not always equal to the actual height, but often depends on the person's social status.

A kind of “cultural norm” has developed in society - a man should be tall, and a woman, on the contrary, should be petite. And although reality is not always like this, we all unconsciously strive to adjust our lives to this norm. A tall man is pleased to stand next to his interlocutor, but a tall woman, on the contrary, tends to move away to hide her “flaw.”

Therefore, if you approach a tall person or a short person during a conversation, they may feel awkward. However, if you come close to a petite woman or a tall man, you may give them some pleasure.

Differences in communication distance also have a national basis. While one nation, such as the Japanese, is accustomed to overcrowding, others prefer wide open spaces and like to keep their distance. E. Hall notes that each nation has its own customs of establishing and maintaining contacts at a certain distance. These norms are learned by each new generation. E. Hall states that the typical distance for an American talking with another adult male on a business topic and in a business setting is approximately two feet. For adults in Latin American countries, this distance seems prohibitively large, since they have adopted the custom in their countries of approaching the interlocutor almost closely during a conversation.

We have already said that crowding of people at concerts, in cinema halls, on escalators, in transport, in elevators leads to the inevitable invasion of people into each other’s intimate areas and sometimes leads to conflict situations. A. Dobrovich identified a number of unwritten rules of behavior for a modern person in crowded conditions, for example in a bus or elevator. These rules are as follows:

1. You are not allowed to talk to anyone, even friends.

2. It is not recommended to look directly at others.

3. The face must be completely impassive - no display of emotions is allowed.

4. If you have a book or newspaper in your hands, you should be completely immersed in reading.

5. The more crowded the transport, the more restrained your movements should be.

6. When in an elevator, look only at the floor indicator above your head.

Public area

Public communication is the type of communication in which one person interacts with a group. A comfortable distance in this case is 4-8 meters. It allows you to convey verbal and a significant part of non-verbal information to listeners without using aids such as microphones, loudspeakers and television screens.

Features of personal zones in different cultures

It is interesting that different nations have different sizes of personal and intimate zones, and this discrepancy can cause a completely unpredictable reaction. For example, the distance between interlocutors, which for a resident of Brazil would be in the personal zone and comfortable, will become unacceptable for an American. Because for an American, such a distance is no longer personal, but intimate territory, and he will react negatively to the invasion. During the dialogue, the Brazilian will try to close the distance, and the American will constantly retreat. As a result, both will remain dissatisfied with each other - the American will consider the Brazilian annoying and tactless, and the Brazilian will consider the American arrogant and cold.

In addition to the distance itself, accepted as the norm in different cultures, there are other points that can have a huge impact on the course of communication between their representatives. The same means of communication can have completely different meanings in different cultures. For example, consider the Arabs and Japanese. Despite the fact that the size of personal space in both cultures is almost the same, they have completely different attitudes towards touch. In Japanese culture, touching is not accepted. For Arabs, on the contrary, touch is a means of expressing sympathy. If one interlocutor avoids touching another, this can be interpreted as disrespect or even contempt. Therefore, a dialogue between a Japanese and an Arab will most likely leave a very painful impression on both - the Japanese will silently suffer from the “rudeness” of the Arab, and the Arab from the “arrogant contempt” of the Japanese.

In addition to distance, proxemic interactions also include how people mutually orient themselves.

It is very important where a person’s body is turned during communication. If people are facing each other (in dialogue) or everyone is facing the imaginary center of the group (when several people form a circle), then they form a closed figure

A closed figure is a nonverbal signal to others that external interference in the conversation is undesirable at the moment. When a new participant tries to join a conversation taking place in a closed figure, two scenarios are possible.

1. The first option is to turn the body towards the newcomer, the figure opens and includes a new participant, after which it closes again. In this option, the new participant fully joins the conversation.
2. In the second case, only heads are turned towards the person who wants to join the conversation, and the figure remains closed. In fact, this is a nonverbal signal indicating the extreme undesirability of interfering in the current conversation.

It also happens that during a conversation in a group of three people, after a while two of them form a closed figure, excluding the third from communication. Proxemics in this case is used as a means of nonverbal pressure. In this case, it is best for the person who has been excluded from communication to leave without waiting for the awkwardness to escalate.

In addition to switching off, the opposite option is also possible - involving a person who, for some reason, is silent, into a conversation. This technique is performed using visual contact. When communicating with one of the interlocutors, the gaze is briefly transferred to the second and back. This creates the illusion that all three people are participating in the conversation. This tool is especially useful for unobtrusively involving a shy, timid person in a conversation. An insecure person who doesn’t know how to connect to a conversation will definitely feel gratitude to the person who non-verbally connected him to the conversation.

A good knowledge of proxemics can significantly improve the effectiveness of communication. Understanding the mechanisms by which people subconsciously evaluate their interlocutor allows you to avoid annoying mistakes and blunders caused by a lack of information, as well as incorrect decoding of non-verbal signals.

Organization of the spatial environment in business communication. Zones and distances in business communication.

During a conversation, interlocutors involuntarily pay attention to their surroundings. In this sense, the manager’s office is a kind of his calling card. The interior of the office speaks volumes: about the wealth of the company, its solidity and reliability. Therefore, we must strive to ensure that the place where the manager receives visitors makes the best impression, and the atmosphere enhances his business status. However, it should be remembered that an office that is too luxurious is perceived with distrust by visitors.

When decorating an office, you need to remember that paintings and other office decorations should be neutral and at the same time emphasize the company's image. It is better to paint the walls in standard colors generally accepted for office premises. When equipping an office in relation to Russian conditions, three zones are usually distinguished: the zone of personal work, collegial activities and friendly communication.

The personal work area should contain a desk, a comfortable chair, telephones, and modern organizational and technical equipment. The workplace must be properly lit.

The collegial activity area is equipped taking into account the requirements for organizing deliberative work with people. It is necessary to have a “collegial” table, comfortable chairs, pens and pencils, paper for notes, a decanter of water and glasses.

The friendly zone should be located away from the other two. It needs to have a couple of armchairs, a coffee table, and soft drinks. The design of the area should create a friendly, informal atmosphere

When equipping an office, it is advisable to take into account non-verbal means, which can significantly increase the business status of its owner. For example, the higher the back of the chair, the more power and authority the person sitting in it has. Successful people's chairs most often have a high leather-covered back, while chairs for visitors often have a low back.

A great influence can be exerted on the visitor if his chair is located on the other side of the table, opposite the manager.

Some other methods of non-verbal communication can also increase business status: low chairs and sofas for visitors, an expensive ashtray standing out of the visitor’s reach.

For fairly effective business communication, it is very important to choose the right distance between you and the interlocutor. Indeed, there are general patterns, knowledge of which will help you feel comfortable during a conversation and maintain the right mood.

Territorial behavior. Distances and zones are a space of communication, a pronounced sign of attitude towards a partner, towards a situation, towards one’s place and role. Every person unconsciously feels a certain free zone around him. She is comfortable until someone invades her without permission. Social meaning and sense of place. A person develops a sense of his own zone or his own space very quickly: on the second day of a scientific conference, you strive to sit in “your” place and experience a feeling of discomfort if someone else takes it.

1. Intimate area . In our culture, the proximity of bodies from touching to half a meter is evidence of close relationships and unconditional trust. Trust is the condition under which we voluntarily allow a person into our intimate area.

Near - up to 15 cm. Far - up to 0.5 m - communication with close friends, well-known people.

The intimate zone is like an invisible cocoon in which we feel our distance from the rest of the world. In business communication, maintaining the maximum intimate zone or reducing it indicates either the confidentiality of communication or the subordination of partners. The higher the status, the larger the intimate area a person claims. We make a “breakthrough” into the intimate zone using touch.

2. Personal. In our personal zone, we voluntarily leave those with whom we are close. Maintaining distance within the personal zone depends on the status, relationship, and psychological state of the partners at the moment.

Near – 45 – 80 cm. This is an area for productive business communication. Long distance – up to 1.5 m – is the norm for business communication.

Any change in the partner’s posture or position towards increasing the distance between you indicates a difficulty in communication. Of course, the extent to which it is possible to voluntarily choose a distance should be taken into account. For example, in an elevator or in public transport, the distance between strangers may actually be within the intimate zone. In this case, we pretend that the person does not exist: we do not look into the eyes, we do not talk, we do not increase contact at our own request. Another case: a table, podium or other barrier separating partners. If you want to emphasize a difference in status or a negative attitude towards your partner, then you use the table as a natural barrier between you.

Social distance, as well as the dynamics of gaze, depends on cultural traditions: southern peoples strive to reduce the distance between partners, increasing intimacy through frequent touching, people from the east prefer to avoid physical proximity and maintain a greater distance between interlocutors, Europeans and Americans have a distance of expresses personal relationships between people to the greatest extent. Often an implicit reason for the psychological feeling of discomfort in communication is a change in distance due to different heights of partners. Therefore, when trying to recognize the psychological meaning of the meters or barriers separating you and your interlocutor, you should keep in mind objective factors: cultural traditions, status, height and gender, and subjective ones: psychological mood and attitude towards you.

3. Social – zone for superficial contacts.

Near – from 0.5 to 2.0 m. Communication without communication. Strangers. Far - from 2 to 2.5 m. - leaders

The social zone in real business communication is constantly changing. A lecturer in an audience or a pop singer can be extremely distant or extremely close to the listeners, and yet remain outside of personal communication with them. In transport, in a cafe, in a waiting room, people usually try to protect themselves with things or clothing from possible proximity to unfamiliar or unpleasant people. The minimum social zone is determined by how close I am to a stranger if nothing forces me to be near him. The social zone is determined to the greatest extent by the situation of communication, and to the least extent by the subjective motives of its participants. In the library, in a restaurant, we subconsciously consider half the table to be our territory and instinctively protect it from our neighbor.

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Social and community distancing

Despite the importance of the personal and intimate zone, their study is not the basis that proxemics studies. This is due to the relative one-sidedness of the distances presented above

They are easy to understand, and even easier to identify patterns. More interesting are the social and public areas. They are used in the process of business and public communication. Over the years, people have studied these two distances to find an effective way to control the masses. People who have excellent control over public and social distances are always good speakers.

Intimate area

It is an imaginary bubble in which a person is enclosed and distant from the body by 0.5 meters.
Having other people in this space usually involves physical contact, such as hugging, stroking, touching, kissing. Under normal conditions, only close people can be close to a person without the risk of provoking aggression: relatives, spouses, very good friends. If an unfamiliar person tries to get into the intimate area of ​​a person, then the latter releases stress hormones, mobilizes the body, and prepares to repel aggression or escape. Nature has provided this mechanism as a means of self-defense. However, city dwellers are often forced to tolerate strangers in their immediate vicinity. For example, in public transport, elevators, in a crowd on the street. This gave rise to a series of compensating mechanisms, a set of unwritten rules that all citizens follow in similar circumstances. It is not recommended to stare at strangers or talk loudly (even with your friends). Following the unwritten rules of behavior in society is the simplest means of helping the nervous system cope with the stresses inherent in life in a metropolis. Villagers who find themselves in a big city initially experience enormous psychological stress precisely because they react sharply to an invasion of their intimate space.

Spatial zones of communication in psychology

Every day we come into contact with many people - with loved ones in a family setting, with strangers on the way to work, on public transport, with colleagues in the office.
We allow some people to come very close and even hug us; on an unconscious level we try to avoid communication with other people - that is, we maintain a set distance with different people. Depending on how we treat a person, what kind of relationship we have with him, we maintain a conditioned distance with him when communicating.

Definition 1

Distances and zones are a space of communication, a pronounced sign of attitude towards a partner, towards a situation, towards one’s place and role.

In the late 1960s, this feature was discovered by the American psychologist Edward Hall, who developed the theory of communication distances.

He included the laws by which individuals are positioned relative to each other during communication in a separate section of social psychology, which was called proxemics - from the English word proximity, meaning “closeness”.

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intimate distance

The distance between people, taking into account intimate distance, is no more than 45 centimeters. This allows you to share personal thoughts and opinions without fear of being heard by other people. When people communicate in intimate areas, words don't really matter. The most important role is played by non-verbal factors: gaze, movements, touch.

The effect of the intimate zone is most clearly visible between spouses.

People who are dissatisfied with their marriage will always be at a distance that is significantly greater than 0.5 meters. An absolutely opposite picture can be seen between happy couples.

It should be noted that the boundaries of the intimate zone may differ for each person. For example, people who are prone to using brute force create for themselves an intimate zone of a larger radius than that of other people. This situation arises due to the constant readiness of rude and cruel people for danger.

Information personal space

Personal space of each person

It is also that information or those emotions that a person does not dare to share with others, sometimes even with loved ones (such as some teenagers).

Any person is obliged to correctly assess the personal space of other people, because what may seem normal and ordinary to you may seem too emotional to some, thereby causing a negative reaction. Here's an example: out of habit, a person, when meeting his acquaintances, kisses him on the cheek, but to some this may seem like a violation of personal space.

Newlyweds often face the problem of violation of personal space, because they have everything in common: friends, dishes, territory, as well as closets. Many people like it at first, but then it starts to seriously irritate them. It is because of this that each person should have his own corner in the apartment, for example his own office or just a desk. It is also mandatory that every person, at least for half an hour, should be alone - relax, read a book. Of course, you should also have mutual friends, but you should still have your own personal space.

You should not violate the personal zone of other people, as it gives a person a feeling of security and also allows you to avoid stress.

Each person has the boundaries of his personal space, which is sometimes allowed to be violated only by close people. It is limited to the intimate zone of communication.

Choosing space between yourself and your interlocutor is not an easy task. In order for the conversation to go well and the interlocutors to understand each other, the distance between them should not be too large or too small.

If a loved one enters the intimate zone, then we perceive him kindly, we can touch him or hug him. Intrusion into the intimate area of ​​a stranger causes a negative reaction; the body perceives a stranger as dangerous. In response to the intrusion of an unfamiliar or completely unfamiliar person into the intimate zone and our personal space, the body prepares to repel the attack and adrenaline is released into the blood. As a result, the heart speeds up and blood flows to the brain and skeletal muscles so that you can run or fight.

The space between communicating people is divided:

1) intimate communication area

. It develops when the distance between communicating people does not exceed 0.5 m. Close people, friends, and relatives can communicate at this distance. Communication in this zone usually occurs in a quiet voice and is most often distinguished by warmth and sincerity;

2) interpersonal communication zone

. The distance between interlocutors in the personal communication zone ranges from 0.5 to 1.2 m. In this zone, communication usually takes place between well-known people, between colleagues on vacation;

3) social communication area

. In this zone, the distance between interlocutors is within 1-3.7 m. Colleagues, friends or unfamiliar people can communicate in such a zone. Communication can be either friendly or conflicting;

4) public communication area

. In a public area, the distance between talking people is more than 3.7 m. At this distance, you can say hello, and then move closer to each other or move further away. This zone usually contains strangers who have gathered in one room.

Personal space is an intimate territory in which a person feels calm, protected and comfortable. Gardeners know: in order to grow a healthy and fruit-bearing plant, it needs to be allocated a sufficient amount of land - this could be 10 centimeters in the garden bed or a personal pot in the window. The flower must take root, spread its leaves, and receive nutrition from its own piece of land, an invasion of which can lead to its death. A person also vitally needs an intimate territory, where he belongs only to himself, can calmly rest from the hustle and bustle of other people, dream, and get to know his own “I” better. From this article you will learn how to protect yourself from stress, maintain a harmonious relationship with a man and a child, without encroaching on their personal space.

Spatial arrangement

The orientation of interlocutors in the communication process plays an important role. Any business coach and negotiation specialist will tell you that the atmosphere in an office or classroom (or any other room in general) most directly affects the success of communication. For it to be constructive and give positive results, you need to be able to position your interlocutors in a special way that promotes the right psychological mood.

Next we will talk about the spatial arrangement of communication participants at the table, because It is at this table that in many situations the interlocutors sit, both during business and friendly communication. Proxemics studies this issue very carefully, and experts identify four main positions occupied by participants in communication:

• Corner location. With this arrangement, the interlocutors sit diagonally; they are separated by the diagonal of the table. You can almost always notice that good acquaintances, friends or relatives sit this way when communicating. This position is good because the interlocutors can see each other and record all non-verbal manifestations of partners - gestures, facial expressions, pantomime (here it is appropriate to talk about the joint use of concepts: prokesmics-kinesics). The corners of the table play the role of a kind of dividing barrier, thanks to which psychological comfort is created for people. It is also interesting that with a corner arrangement, the table is never divided by people into “their” zones.
• Business communication position. The second type of location is more suitable for business meetings. The interlocutors occupy one side of the table, i.e. sitting next to each other. This not only allows, for example, to view documents and other materials together, but also promotes more confidential communication, which does not have a positive effect on the entire process of interaction between people. By the way, during group meetings, people often sit on one side of the table working on the same project, performing common tasks and/or sympathizing with each other.
• Competitive and defensive position. The classic arrangement is when the interlocutors take seats opposite each other on opposite sides of the table. This option is typical for opponents with opposing views on the problem under consideration, and in most cases corresponds to business negotiations. People in a competitive-defensive position are separated by a table, which makes communication formal. There is no need to talk about ease and trust here, and if you need to come to a compromise, it is better to choose a different location, for example, a corner one.
• Independent position. Another frequently encountered position. Corresponds to situations where people are not interested in communicating with each other. People simply sit at a respectful distance from each other. If it is a table, then on different edges of the table, if it is a bench, then on different edges of the bench, etc. Each of us can see people in an independent position in parks, at bus stops, in libraries or restaurants (we are, of course, talking about people who do not know each other).

Of course, in one article it is unlikely that it will be possible to consider all the interesting things offered by proxemics, but from the above we can conclude that this direction of psychological science is very useful in everyday life. By understanding the intricacies of spatial relationships, we can understand the personality traits of other people and find the right approach to each of them, as well as simplify communication and make it more productive.

If you want to understand this topic in more detail, we recommend reading books on proxemics. Among such books are:

• Edward Hall "The Silent Language";
• Julius Fast, Body Language. The ABC of Human Behavior";
• Alan Pease "Body Language";
• Yu. I. Filimonenko “Attitude to space as a function of the subconscious.”

And to conclude the article, we present some interesting data about intercultural differences among people from the perspective of proxemics. This information may also be useful to many.

Kinesthetic means of communication.

Kinesics - movements that are reflected using the subject’s optical system: gestures, postures, facial expressions, appearance, handwriting, etc.

Kinesics includes movements that are reflected using the subject’s optical system, that is, a visually perceived range of movements that perform an expressive-regulatory function in communication.

The kinesic structure performs the function of supplementing or replacing speech messages, and therefore is endowed with a unique priority in creating the image of a partner and the entire communication situation. The study of kinesics is a huge area of ​​research in psychology, communication theory, and cultural studies. The most studied elements of the kinesic structure of nonverbal behavior to date can be considered facial expressions, gestures, postures, and glances.

Individual characteristics

Although the concept of proxemics implies a certain distance, which is expressed in specific numbers, these indicators can be considered more conventional than a specific guideline in the communication process. If you observe several people selectively, it will be noticeable that one is able to easily let other interlocutors approach him, while the other keeps everyone at a distance, although the topic of conversation and the status of the interlocutors are the same in both situations. This is due to the characteristics of each individual; This is influenced by others, family, upbringing and other factors.

Communication between people is rarely reflected in such indicators as nationality and race, as well as the cultural characteristics of the interlocutor. Even hostility between people is more often expressed through verbal communication and gestures than by distance between interlocutors.