Is There Reactance in Personal Space?

Abstract

Summary Two studies were conducted to test the hypothesis that people would react to the close proximity of others by claiming more personal space, but that the mediating variable might be loss of control or security, rather than loss of freedom: Study I, field study of 60 men and women on a public beach; Study II, laboratory study of 160 men and women college students. Results in both studies indicated greater than expected space claims among Ss placed closer than 7 ft. if Ss experienced low control (Study I) or experienced the other Ss to have high control over them (Study II). It was concluded that a reactance-like phenomenon probably exists in personal spacing but that the underlying variable is more likely to be control than freedom.