Proxemics

Proxemics is one of the many subcategories of body language, the way in which the body is used to convey messages. Oftentimes people see body language just as the, oftentimes subconscious, ways in which sexually or romantically interested individuals will convey that attraction to one another. However, body language is more than that and, in fact, is a well-researched body of study encompassing many different specific genres of communication.

Proxemics, the study and act of distance use to communicate between individuals, has been well documented in the research as far back as the 1960s. Consider the amount of space you might place between yourself and your significant other. Probably pretty close, right? With a person you have just met, however, you would likely not sidle up to them the way you would with a person more intimate to you. These tendencies are different from person to person and culture to culture, but the general rule of thumb is that the closer you feel emotionally to someone the closer you will often be in physical presence.

Proxemics is also a body language tool individuals will utilize to purposefully make a communicative statement. For instance, if you smell a strange odor coming from that guy next to you, instead of vocalizing your complaint you may simply take a few steps away to make your message heard. What about that guy who is always invading your space? He may not be aware that there are general social rules to proxemics, but perhaps the best way to combat his advances is to take some exaggerated steps back. Thanks to proxemics he may finally catch your drift.
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