The Effects of Othersʼ Age and Sex on Interpersonal Distance of Womenʼs Junior College Students

Abstract

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of differences in othersʼ age and sex on interpersonal distance of womenʼs junior college students in the three majors. Participants were asked to indicate the most comfortable distance points in an interpersonal distance chart when talking to people in various age of each sex.

Results revealed that interpersonal distance scores（IPD） were significantly lower with infants≪preschoolers≪elementary school children≒old aged people ≪ junior high school pupils ≒senior high school pupils≒ same aged people≪middle aged people. As for the sex factor, interpersonal distance scores with females were significantly lower than with males. As for the majors, in the second grades, interpersonal distance scores of students majoring in early childhood education and care were significantly lower than those majoring in certified care-worker and welfare, whereas in the first grade there were no significant differences among majors. As for the grades, interpersonal distance scores of the second grade students majoring in early childhood education and care were significantly lower than those of the first grade students, whereas there were no significant differences in any other majors. These results suggest that interpersonal distance may be influenced by learning experiences in nursery teacher training courses.