CMN 2132 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Nonperson
19 Jun 2018
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Also known as a Body buffer zone. Expands and contracts based on variables. A definite
psychological need.
-4-10 feet is business space
Violation of personal space:
Library Study (1966): Steps to establishing space
1. give dirty looks,
2. build barriers and use markers,
3. exhibit body shifts,
4. use the body as a barrier,
5. use subvocal expressions or mutter,
6. engage in decreased eye contact,
7. assume a nonperson orientation (as if the person were an object),
8. exhibit anxiety movements (drumming fingers),
9. leave the table (give up space) within 10-30 minutes
-the 1979 study showed that the behaviours were quicker when the interactants were of the
same sex
-in any case, when its violated: we avoid conversation; we avoid eye contact; we place objects
between us; we focus our attention and eye contact elsewhere
-we feel we have a right to space
Goffman's Territories of the self:
-> personal (body territory), the stall (well bounded space, ie. bed), use space (people within
your line of vision), turn (who goes first), sheath (skin and clothing), possessional territory (our
stuff), information preserve (facts of the self we wish to control), conversation preserve (what
should be covered in a conversation)
Knapp's environment perception pg 101): informal, uncomfortable, open, unusual, temporary,
others close. See 103
Three types:
