Proxemics

The Semiotics of Space

Edward T. Hall
Hall

coined the term in 1963

Proxemics is the study of the codes
that define space and territory in
human social relations
Distance between individuals,
territoriality, intimacy gradients, public
versus private spaces, sacred places,
and so on come under the rubric of
proxemics

Proxemes

Intimate: 0 - 18 inches
Emotionally charged bubble reserved for family,
friends, lovers

Personal: 1.5 - 4 feet

Minimum comfort zone between non-touching
individuals; within reach for handshakes; informal
distance between friends

Social: 4 12 feet
Non-threatening, non-involving; for formal
discourse and business; minimum distance within
which one can go about their business without
seeming rude to others

Public: 12 feet and beyond

Evasive or defensive action possible at this
distance; communication at this distance highly
structured, e.g., lecture, performance

Proxemics and Culture

Of course, these codes depend on culture and

history.
In North American culture over the last
hundred years, there has been both a
decrease in the size of the intimate and
personal proxeme and an expansion in the
social and personal proxeme.
In other words, in many cases people demand
much more space between themselves and
non-intimates while simultaneously requiring
less distance between friends, family
members, and other intimates.

Botticelli,
Sandro
The
Cestello
Annunciati
onc. 1489
Tempera on
panel 150
x 156 cm
Uffizi,
Florence

Van Eyck, Jan

The
Annunciation c.
1435
Oil on
canvas93 x 37
cmNational
Gallery of Art,
Washington

John Singleton Copley Colonel William Fitch and His Sisters Sarah and
Ann Fitch, 1800/1801

Touch

Touch is another feature of proxemic

analysis.
In Western culture touch is kept at a
minimum in public places.
Mothers tend to touch their sons more on
their chest and shoulders, their daughters
on the arms and head.
In Japanese culture there is a great deal of
tactile communication in childhood but little
after adolescence.

William Eggleston. Sumner, Mississippi,

Cassidy Bayou in the background.
1969-70.

You be the expert!

What proxemic codes govern:
A handshake between a man and a woman?
Between a man and a man?
A party at an undergraduates apartment?
A party at your grandparents?
A first meeting with a prospective employer?
A solitary study session at a big table in the
library?

The Gaze

Related to proxemics in that the gaze also

has implications for emotional distance and
intimacy.
Frequency, duration, and direction of gaze
has social consequences.
Phatic function: for initiation and
maintenance of communication.
Looking away signals a desire to keep speaking.
Staring indicates a desire for the other to take a
turn.

The Gaze cont

Expressive function: the eyes (more

correctly, the muscles and tissue around
the eyes) can signal emotion.
Conative function: When the message is
focused on the receiver, the gaze of the
sender can indicate levels of intimacy,
hostility, and so on, e.g., if looks could kill
.
Can also register disdain, aloofness, or low
solidarity towards the receiver if the gaze is
withdrawn.