The effect of interpersonal distance change on nonverbal behaviors Mediating effects of sex and intimacy levels in a dyad

MINORU WADA

doi:10.4992/psycholres1954.32.86

The effect of interpersonal distance change on nonverbal behaviors

Mediating effects of sex and intimacy levels in a dyad

MINORU WADA

Author information

Keywords: a interpersonal distance change, nonverbal behaviors, sex differences, dyadic intimacy, an affiliative conflict theory

JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

1990 Volume 32 Issue 2 Pages 86-96

DOI https://doi.org/10.4992/psycholres1954.32.86

Details

Published: June 26, 1990 Received: December 12, 1988 Available on J-STAGE: February 24, 2009 Accepted: July 15, 1989 Advance online publication: - Revised: -
Correction information
Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: KEYWORD Details: Wrong : a interpersonal distance change, nonverbal behaviors, sex differences, dyadic intimacy, an affiliative conflict theory
Right : a interpersonal distance change, nonverbal behaviors, sex differences, dyadicintimacy, an affiliative conflict theory

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : Argyle, M., & Dean, J. 1965 Eye contact, distance and affiliation. Sociometry, 28, 289-304.
Argyle, M., Lefebrre, L., & Cook, M. 1974 The meaning of five patterns of gaze. European Journal of Social Psychology, 4, 125-136.
Coutts, L. M., & Ledden, M. 1977 Nonverbal compensatory reactions to changes in interpersonal proximity. Journal of Social Psychology, 102, 283-290.
Dovidio, J. F., Ellyson, S. L., Keating, C. F., Heltman, K., & Brown, C. E. 1988 The relationship of social power to visual displays of dominance between men and women. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 233-242.
Exline, R., & Winters, L. C. 1965 Affective relations and mutual glances in dyads. In S. Tomkins & C. Izard (Eds.), Affect, cognition and personality. New York: Springer. Pp. 319-350.
Greenbaum, C. I, & Firestone, I. J. 1977 Compensatory responses to crowding: Effects of personal space intrusion and privacy reduction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 35, 637-644.
Hall, J. A. 1984 Nonverbal sex differences: communication accuracy and expressive style. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Hansen, J. E., & Schuldt, W. J. 1982 Physical distance, sex and intimacy in self-disclosure. Psychological Reports, 51, 3-6.
Inoue, T. 1982 Interpersonal relationships utilizing gazing behaviors: Ways of gazing. Koudansya. (In Japanese)
Iwabuchi, C., Tanaka, K., & Nakazato, H. 1982 A study of self-monitoring scale. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 53, 54-57. (In Japanese with English abstract)
Mahoney, E. R. 1974 Compensatory reactions to spatial immediacy. Sociometry, 37, 423-431.
Mehrabian, A. 1972 Nonverbal communication. New York: Adline Publishing Company.
Patterson, M. L. 1977 Interpersonal distance, affect and equilibrium theory. Journal of Social Psychology, 101, 205-214.
Rubin, Z. 1970 Measurement of romantic love. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 16, 265-273.
Rutter, D. R. 1984 Looking and seeing. New York: John Wiely & Sons.
Rutter, D. R., & Stephenson, G. M. 1979 The functions of looking: Effects of friendship on gaze. British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 18, 203-205.
Snyder, M. 1974 Self-monitoring of expressive behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 30, 526-537.
Wada, M. 1986 Effects of liking, interpersonal distance, and topics on nonverbal behaviors and self-disclosure. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 26, 1-12. (In Japanese with English abstract)
Wada, M. 1988 Effects of liking, interpersonal distance and topics on nonverbal behaviors. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 59, 45-52. (In Japanese with English abstract)
Wada, M. 1989 Effects of interpersonal relationship, interpersonal distance, and gender on nonverbal behavior in dyads of strangers and acquaintances. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 60, 31-37. (In Japanese with English abstract)
Wada, M., Hirooka, S., & Hayashi, F. 1986 The development and maintenance of undergraduates' friendship (1). Joint Proceedings of the 27th Annual Convention of the Japanese Society of Social Psychology and the 34th Annual Convention of the Japanese Group Dynamics Association, 73-74. (In Japanese)

Right : Argyle, M., & Dean, J. 1965 Eye contact, distance and affiliation. Sociometry, 28, 289-304.
Argyle, M., Lefebrre, L., & Cook, M. 1974 The meaning of five patterns of gaze. European Journal of Social Psychology, 4, 125-136.
Coutts, L. M., & Ledden, M. 1977 Nonverbal compensatory reactions to changes in interpersonal proximity. Journal of Social Psychology, 102, 283-290.
Dovidio, J. F., Ellyson, S. L., Keating, C. F., Heitman, K., & Brown, C. E. 1988 The relationship of social power to visual displays of dominance between men and women. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 233-242.
Exline, R., & Winters, L. C. 1965 Affective relations and mutual glances in dyads. In S. Tomkins & C. Izard (Eds.), Affect, cognition and personality. New York: Springer. Pp.319-350.
Greenbaum, C. I., & Firestone, I. J. 1977 Compensatory responses to crowding: Effects of personal space intrusion and privacy reduction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 35, 637-644.
Hall, J. A. 1984 Nonverbal sex differences: communication accuracy and expressive style. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Hansen, J. E., & Schuldt, W. J. 1982 Physical distance, sex and intimacy in self-disclosure. Psychological Reports, 51, 3-6.
Inoue, T. 1982 Interpersonal relationships utilizing gazing behaviors: Ways of gazing. Koudansya.(In Japanese)
Iwabuchi, C., Tanaka, K., & Nakazato, H. 1982 A study of self-monitoring scale. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 53, 54-57.(In Japanese with English abstract)
Mahoney, E. R. 1974 Compensatory reactions to spatial immediacy. Sociometry, 37, 423-431.
Mehrabian, A. 1972 Nonverbal communication. New York: Adline Company.
Patterson, M. L. 1977 Interpersonal distance, affect and equilibrium theory. Journal of Social Psychology, 101, 205-214.
Rubin, Z. 1970 Measurement of romantic love. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 16, 265-273.
Rutter, D. R. 1984 Looking and seeing. New York: John Wiely & Sons.
Rutter, D. R., & Stephenson, G. M. 1979 The functions of looking: Effects of friendship on gaze. British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 18, 203-205.
Snyder, M. 1974 Self-monitoring of expressive behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 30, 526-537.
Wada, M. 1986 Effects of liking, interpersonal distance, and topics on nonverbal behaviors and self-disclosure. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 26, 1-12.(In Japanese with English abstract)
Wada, M. 1988 Effects of liking, interpersonal distance and topics on nonverbal behaviors. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 59, 45-52.(In Japanese with English abstract)
Wada, M. 1989 Effects of interpersonal relationship, interpersonal distance, and gender on nonverbal behavior in dyads of strangers and acquaintances. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 60, 31-37.(In Japanese with English abstract)
Wada, M., Hirooka, S., & Hayashi, F. 1986 The development and maintenance of undergraduates' friendship (1). Joint Proceedings of the 27th Annual Convention of the Japanese Society of Social Psychology and the 34th Annual Convention of the Japanese Group Dynamics Association, 73-74.(In Japanese)

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: PDF FILE Details: -

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: ABSTRACT Details: Wrong : The primary purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a change in interpersonal distance on nonverbal behaviors. At the same time, the effects of sex and dyadic intimacy on nonverbal behaviors were also investigated. The nonverbal behaviors examined in this study consisted of gaze, eye-to-eye contact (EC), smile, head orientation (HO), body orientation, body lean, and utterances. Thirty-six undergraduates (18 males and 18 females) were asked to interact in same-sex pairs. The major findings were as follows. (1) The results provided general support for the affiliative conflict theory. However, when the dyad was very intimate, an increase or decrease in interpersonal distance did not cause any compensatory shift in EC nor in the mean duration of smile. (2) Only the total duration of HO and EC were significantly influenced by sex; males engaged in more HO and less EC than females. (3) The effect of dyadic intimacy reached marginal significance only on EC. The more intimate the dyad, the more the dyad engaged in EC activities.
Right : The primary purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a change in interpersonal distance on nonverbal behaviors. At the same time, the effects of sex and dyadic intimacy on nonverbal behaviors were also investigated. The nonverbal behaviors examined in this study consisted of gaze, eye-to-eye contact (EC), smile, head orientation (HO), body orientation, body lean, and utterances. Thirty-six undergraduates (18 males and 18 females) were asked to interact in same-sex pairs. The major findings were as follows.(1) The results provided general support for the affiliative conflict theory. However, when the dyad was very intimate, an increase or decrease in interpersonal distance did not cause any compensatory shift in EC nor in the mean duration of smile.(2) Only the total duration of HO and EC were significantly influenced by sex; males engaged in more HO and less EC than females.(3) The effect of dyadic intimacy reached marginal significance only on EC. The more intimate the dyad, the more the dyad engaged in EC activities.

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: KEYWORD Details: Wrong : a interpersonal distance change, nonverbal behaviors, sex differences, dyadicintimacy, an affiliative conflict theory
Right : a interpersonal distance change, nonverbal behaviors, sex differences, dyadic intimacy, an affiliative conflict theory

Date of correction: February 24, 2009 Reason for correction: - Correction: CITATION Details: Wrong : Argyle, M., & Dean, J. 1965 Eye contact, distance and affiliation. Sociometry, 28, 289-304.
Argyle, M., Lefebrre, L., & Cook, M. 1974 The meaning of five patterns of gaze. European Journal of Social Psychology, 4, 125-136.
Coutts, L. M., & Ledden, M. 1977 Nonverbal compensatory reactions to changes in interpersonal proximity. Journal of Social Psychology, 102, 283-290.
Dovidio, J. F., Ellyson, S. L., Keating, C. F., Heitman, K., & Brown, C. E. 1988 The relationship of social power to visual displays of dominance between men and women. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 233-242.
Exline, R., & Winters, L. C. 1965 Affective relations and mutual glances in dyads. In S. Tomkins & C. Izard (Eds.), Affect, cognition and personality. New York: Springer. Pp.319-350.
Greenbaum, C. I., & Firestone, I. J. 1977 Compensatory responses to crowding: Effects of personal space intrusion and privacy reduction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 35, 637-644.
Hall, J. A. 1984 Nonverbal sex differences: communication accuracy and expressive style. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Hansen, J. E., & Schuldt, W. J. 1982 Physical distance, sex and intimacy in self-disclosure. Psychological Reports, 51, 3-6.
Inoue, T. 1982 Interpersonal relationships utilizing gazing behaviors: Ways of gazing. Koudansya.(In Japanese)
Iwabuchi, C., Tanaka, K., & Nakazato, H. 1982 A study of self-monitoring scale. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 53, 54-57.(In Japanese with English abstract)
Mahoney, E. R. 1974 Compensatory reactions to spatial immediacy. Sociometry, 37, 423-431.
Mehrabian, A. 1972 Nonverbal communication. New York: Adline Company.
Patterson, M. L. 1977 Interpersonal distance, affect and equilibrium theory. Journal of Social Psychology, 101, 205-214.
Rubin, Z. 1970 Measurement of romantic love. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 16, 265-273.
Rutter, D. R. 1984 Looking and seeing. New York: John Wiely & Sons.
Rutter, D. R., & Stephenson, G. M. 1979 The functions of looking: Effects of friendship on gaze. British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 18, 203-205.
Snyder, M. 1974 Self-monitoring of expressive behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 30, 526-537.
Wada, M. 1986 Effects of liking, interpersonal distance, and topics on nonverbal behaviors and self-disclosure. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 26, 1-12.(In Japanese with English abstract)
Wada, M. 1988 Effects of liking, interpersonal distance and topics on nonverbal behaviors. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 59, 45-52.(In Japanese with English abstract)
Wada, M. 1989 Effects of interpersonal relationship, interpersonal distance, and gender on nonverbal behavior in dyads of strangers and acquaintances. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 60, 31-37.(In Japanese with English abstract)
Wada, M., Hirooka, S., & Hayashi, F. 1986 The development and maintenance of undergraduates' friendship (1). Joint Proceedings of the 27th Annual Convention of the Japanese Society of Social Psychology and the 34th Annual Convention of the Japanese Group Dynamics Association, 73-74.(In Japanese)

Right : Argyle, M., & Dean, J. 1965 Eye contact, distance and affiliation. Sociometry, 28, 289-304.
Argyle, M., Lefebrre, L., & Cook, M. 1974 The meaning of five patterns of gaze. European Journal of Social Psychology, 4, 125-136.
Coutts, L. M., & Ledden, M. 1977 Nonverbal compensatory reactions to changes in interpersonal proximity. Journal of Social Psychology, 102, 283-290.
Dovidio, J. F., Ellyson, S. L., Keating, C. F., Heltman, K., & Brown, C. E. 1988 The relationship of social power to visual displays of dominance between men and women. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 233-242.
Exline, R., & Winters, L. C. 1965 Affective relations and mutual glances in dyads. In S. Tomkins & C. Izard (Eds.), Affect, cognition and personality. New York: Springer. Pp.319-350.
Greenbaum, C. I., & Firestone, I. J. 1977 Compensatory responses to crowding: Effects of personal space intrusion and privacy reduction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 35, 637-644.
Hall, J. A. 1984 Nonverbal sex differences: communication accuracy and expressive style. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Hansen, J. E., & Schuldt, W. J. 1982 Physical distance, sex and intimacy in self-disclosure. Psychological Reports, 51, 3-6.
Inoue, T. 1982 Interpersonal relationships utilizing gazing behaviors: Ways of gazing. Koudansya.(In Japanese)
Iwabuchi, C., Tanaka, K., & Nakazato, H. 1982 A study of self-monitoring scale. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 53, 54-57.(In Japanese with English abstract)
Mahoney, E. R. 1974 Compensatory reactions to spatial immediacy. Sociometry, 37, 423-431.
Mehrabian, A. 1972 Nonverbal communication. New York: Adline Company.
Patterson, M. L. 1977 Interpersonal distance, affect and equilibrium theory. Journal of Social Psychology, 101, 205-214.
Rubin, Z. 1970 Measurement of romantic love. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 16, 265-273.
Rutter, D. R. 1984 Looking and seeing. New York: John Wiely & Sons.
Rutter, D. R., & Stephenson, G. M. 1979 The functions of looking: Effects of friendship on gaze. British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 18, 203-205.
Snyder, M. 1974 Self-monitoring of expressive behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 30, 526-537.
Wada, M. 1986 Effects of liking, interpersonal distance, and topics on nonverbal behaviors and self-disclosure. Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 26, 1-12.(In Japanese with English abstract)
Wada, M. 1988 Effects of liking, interpersonal distance and topics on nonverbal behaviors. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 59, 45-52.(In Japanese with English abstract)
Wada, M. 1989 Effects of interpersonal relationship, interpersonal distance, and gender on nonverbal behavior in dyads of strangers and acquaintances. Japanese Journal of Psychology, 60, 31-37.(In Japanese with English abstract)
Wada, M., Hirooka, S., & Hayashi, F. 1986 The development and maintenance of undergraduates' friendship (1). Joint Proceedings of the 27th Annual Convention of the Japanese Society of Social Psychology and the 34th Annual Convention of the Japanese Group Dynamics Association, 73-74.(In Japanese)

Abstract

The primary purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of a change in interpersonal distance on nonverbal behaviors. At the same time, the effects of sex and dyadic intimacy on nonverbal behaviors were also investigated. The nonverbal behaviors examined in this study consisted of gaze, eye-to-eye contact (EC), smile, head orientation (HO), body orientation, body lean, and utterances. Thirty-six undergraduates (18 males and 18 females) were asked to interact in same-sex pairs. The major findings were as follows.(1) The results provided general support for the affiliative conflict theory. However, when the dyad was very intimate, an increase or decrease in interpersonal distance did not cause any compensatory shift in EC nor in the mean duration of smile.(2) Only the total duration of HO and EC were significantly influenced by sex; males engaged in more HO and less EC than females.(3) The effect of dyadic intimacy reached marginal significance only on EC. The more intimate the dyad, the more the dyad engaged in EC activities.

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