Everyone unknowingly sets the boundaries of space around itself, which considers its own. Invasion of his interlocutor causes discomfort both psychological and physiological, and is considered an unfriendly act. The size of this space varies from culture to culture, but also depends on the personal characteristics of each individual and of the situation of communication.
Are divided space communication in an intimate, personal, social and public. Intimate space - this is something that directly surrounds. Its size ranges from 45 cm to the representatives of eastern Europe to 60 cm for the Western Europeans. This space is strictly protected from human encroachment, and everyone defines who can be admitted into it. Violation of this space interlocutor may lead to acute negative reaction from the communication partner until aversion or desire to escape.
In general, introverts intimate space is much larger than that of extroverts. Most people subconsciously tries to avoid physical contact with the person, if the partners are not in a very close relationship. It is also shown that a violation of this space without the approval results in the release of stress hormones, ie subconsciously preparing to defend themselves or to escape.
The vast majority of human communication contacts occurs in a zone of personal space, which is 45-120 cm. It is more influenced by social and cultural factors rather than intimate. For example, the British private space more than the Italians, the Italians, in turn, is greater than that of the Irish, etc.
Within the boundaries of social space, we usually deal with strangers, as well as in the case of formal communication. It is 120-260 cm, and its taken to maintain at a business meeting, discussions, negotiations, formal and official contacts, ie in situations where communication in the area of personal space is inappropriate.
Communication in the public area is usually the case when different kinds of public speeches: lectures, conferences, lectures, etc. This distance starting from 3 to 5 m or more.
In addition to the social right to the area of communication can be affected by personal characteristics such as, for example, the dominant system of human perception. Thus, the visual will choose to communicate more social and public area where it is more convenient to see the partner audial - personal, kinestetik prefer communication in the intimate area, where it can perform tactile contact with the person. Therefore, communication with visual kinesthetic in most cases will be extremely uncomfortable for both. Kinestetik will try to get closer to your partner, whereas visual try to pull away. For the first communication partner is perceived cold and closed, and the second - intrusive and tactless.