| Abstract: | Personal space is routinely defined as an area surrounding individuals, but it is usually investigated by procedures providing only one-dimensional distance measurements. This has led recent discussions of the shape, size, and flexibility of personal space to be highly theoretical and conspicuously lacking in supporting data. The present study with 24 university students demonstrated that the 2-dimensional shape of personal space was noncircular for Ss—being slightly larger in the front than in the rear for both males and females. The smaller rear zones cannot be explained by the necessary use of peripheral vision for rear approaches. The demonstration that a reversible reduction in frontal distance occurs when Ss turn their heads to one side provides the first experimental evidence of fluctuations in the shape of personal space. The observed fluctuations in shape are modest in magnitude and occur relatively rapidly. (French abstract) (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
