Proxemics Experiment: Doing the Unexpected
Proxemics Experiment: Doing the Unexpected!
This exercise provides students with the opportunity to test a communication theory in an everyday context. Specifically you will design an experiment to test the accuracy of Edward Hall’s Theory of Proxemics, that is, in his words, “the interrelated observations and theories of man’s use of space”. Keeping in mind the anthropological adage “we don’t know who discovered water, but we’re pretty sure it wasn’t the fish”, you must construct your experiment so that you are not only a participant but also an observer. In this assignment you are to design an experiment violating the intimate and personal zones to test whether Hall’s theory is valid. You can create a scenario where you violate the intimate zone or conversely you might choose a situation in which the intimate zone was expected, but avoided. It is important in your design that you include yourself as a subject since you will be asked to comment on the experience as part of your report.
Report format:
1. Select and describe the proxemics zone(s) that you will be testing.
Since, I take the bus 3 times a week to go to classes; I selected to make the proxemics experiment on the personal space zone that people from different culture sets on a bus seat on a regular basis.
2. Explain the context of the experiment so that it can be reasonably understood by any outside reader. Where does it take place, who does it involve, when does it occur, etc.
As I said above, it takes place on the bus and involves people from different cultures, starting right after people pay and look for a sit. 3. Give the details of your strategy. Exactly what specific action are you planning?
I am planning to sit down next to people or ask them if I can sit down next to them and see how they would respond on such act and how distance him or she can be next to me.
4. What do you predict will be the outcome?
My prediction was that most of the people would feel
This exercise provides students with the opportunity to test a communication theory in an everyday context. Specifically you will design an experiment to test the accuracy of Edward Hall’s Theory of Proxemics, that is, in his words, “the interrelated observations and theories of man’s use of space”. Keeping in mind the anthropological adage “we don’t know who discovered water, but we’re pretty sure it wasn’t the fish”, you must construct your experiment so that you are not only a participant but also an observer. In this assignment you are to design an experiment violating the intimate and personal zones to test whether Hall’s theory is valid. You can create a scenario where you violate the intimate zone or conversely you might choose a situation in which the intimate zone was expected, but avoided. It is important in your design that you include yourself as a subject since you will be asked to comment on the experience as part of your report.
Report format:
1. Select and describe the proxemics zone(s) that you will be testing.
Since, I take the bus 3 times a week to go to classes; I selected to make the proxemics experiment on the personal space zone that people from different culture sets on a bus seat on a regular basis.
2. Explain the context of the experiment so that it can be reasonably understood by any outside reader. Where does it take place, who does it involve, when does it occur, etc.
As I said above, it takes place on the bus and involves people from different cultures, starting right after people pay and look for a sit. 3. Give the details of your strategy. Exactly what specific action are you planning?
I am planning to sit down next to people or ask them if I can sit down next to them and see how they would respond on such act and how distance him or she can be next to me.
4. What do you predict will be the outcome?
My prediction was that most of the people would feel