PROXIMICS OR LANGUAGE OF PERSONAL SPACE

PROXIMICS OR LANGUAGE OF PERSONAL SPACE

Animals, birds and fish guard their territories rather aggressively and so do nations. Within a nation, there are well-defined boundaries among different smaller communities. People living within these territories have an allegiance to it and protect these territories even ferociously
American anthropologist, Edward T Hall, concluded that every human being has a territory that it considers to be its own. The area or the space delineated around the body is claimed to be his own like the air space around him. Edward T Hall called it „Proximics‟ – study of the spatial needs of human beings.

Personal space around each one of us have a critical implication for communication and interaction with others and consequently on our behaviour and relations with them. Like all other living beings, humans carry a kind of air envelop around them all the time. However, size of the air-envelop can vary among different cultures. It can also vary between a villager and a city dweller. Besides, status of a person also influences the distance at which a person stands with respect to that person.

(1) Spatial Zones
Edward Hall has identified following four zones that are in the form of concentric circles around human body. Since the distances vary among cultures, density of population and status, each zone has been indicated with a range of distances:

(i) Intimate zone
This zone extends up to 0.5 metre from the body and is considered to have the most important influence on the behaviour of individuals. This is a zone that an individual guards as if it is his own property. Only those very close to the individual are permitted to enter this zone viz., spouse, parents, lovers, close friends and relative. With these persons, not many words are used in communication – whispers take the place of spoken words. Eye contacts, handshake and pat at the back are noticed often. Nature of communication is more intimate.
It has a sub-zone extending to first 0.15 metre from the body. This is a close intimate zone that can be entered only during physical contact.

(ii) Personal zone
This covers the space from 0.5 to 1.2 metres from the body. This is the distance observed during friendly gatherings, social functions, office parties etc. People speak in monotones or use low pitch voice with close friends, colleagues, associates and visitors. Communication is more personal and is carried out in a relaxed and casual way. Much of the responses are spontaneous, leading to important decisions which is the hallmark of this space.

(iii) Social zone
This space extends from 1.2 to 3.5 metres. This space is ideal for formal parties and relationships are mostly official. Most of the business is carried out in this space - a lot of reason and logic comes into play and much of the future planning is done. A man is a social being and this space becomes critical for a person on the move in the hierarchy of business and thus forms the most critical zone.

(iv) Public zone
This zone covers the space beyond 3.5 metres from the body and covers the distance at which people can hear and see. The distance between the person and the group he is addressing or making presentation to would be over 3.5 metres. This zone requires use of more formal language; communication is more detached and impersonal in perception. One has to raise the voice to be heard clearly.

(2) Organizational Proxemics

The subject of proximics is expanding to cover the contents in the spatial zones as they have major influence on dealing and interacting with people - this area of specialization is referred to as „Organizational Proxemics‟ and covers the followings:
 Landscaping
 Colour schemes and other physical settings
 Ergonomics
 Signs, signals, paintings, sculptors and other arte-facts
 Furnishings and interior decoration etc

(3) Implications of Proxemics

Knowledge of Proxemics is being used to secure following advantages in business:
1 Every culture has a well-defined personal space; violation of spatial zones can create wrong impressions, leading to loss of business.
2 In multi-cultural groups, individuals should observe the spatial zones of different groups and interact with them accordingly.
3 Even in small groups, one must find out the boundary limits of spatial zones so as to preclude „bubble-bursts‟ arising from irritation and discomfort.
4 According to Gary Kreps, people have strong territorial emotions about their possessions or objects of which they claim ownership viz., clothes, books, homes and automobiles. Since they protect these territories vigorously, people should ensure that they do not step on someone‟s toes.
5 People from high-context cultural countries including India prefer greater distances that low-context culture nations who have carefree and casual approach to it.
6 The concept of proximics is also reflected in the way meetings are arranged – a round table encourages participation among members.
7 In organizations, people are very sensitive about their seating places, furniture and equipment.
8 Small offices with low ceilings and no windows can generate a feeling of being boxed up, sullen and depressed.
9 Open offices are becoming more popular now as they facilitate greater communication, instant feedback and improved inter-personal relationships.