A methodological and developmental study of personal space

Husk, Gordon Stephen (1977) A methodological and developmental study of personal space. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The main purpose of this experiment was to assess the validity of the simulation and laboratory methods of measuring interpersonal distance (IPD) over a broad age range. Male dyads from five Grade levels (K, Grades 3, 6, 9 and Adult) were asked to perform a skit, the preparation of which was surreptitiously video-taped and later assessed for IPD and three other components of personal space (orientation, looking and talking). The comparison of this field method IPD with laboratory and simulation IPDs at each Grade level demonstrated little validity for the latter two methods below the Adult level. Using the simulation method, the consistent findings of closer spacing for friends than strangers (at most levels) led the author to conclude that it should be used to asses relative spacing than for determination of absolute IPD. -- Components of personal space assessed from the video-tapes yielded low multiple correlations of IPD as a function of the other components. Although there was a marked increase in multiple correlations for the Adult group from the other Grade levels, this was not supported by both judges. More elaborate research procedures using the field method were advocated, with the purpose of examining a greater variety of potential components of personal space.

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