Nonverbal Communication: Proxemics Surveys

Subgroup Size

Pairs

Duration

45 minutes

External Cost

No

Source

This activity uses two different surveys:

 

Paige, R.M., Cohen, A.D., Kappler Mikk, B., Chi, J.C., & Lassegard, J.P. (2014). Personal distance survey. In R.M. Paige, A.D. Cohen, B. Kappler Mikk, J.C. Chi, & J.P. Lassegard (Eds.), Maximizing study abroad: A students' guide to strategies for language and culture learning and use (2nd ed., p. 138). University of Minnesota Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition. http://archive.carla.umn.edu/maxsa/guides.html

 

Paige, R.M., Cohen, A.D., Kappler Mikk, B., Chi, J.C., & Lassegard, J.P. (2014). Touching behavior survey. In R.M. Paige, A.D. Cohen, B. Kappler Mikk, J.C. Chi, & J.P. Lassegard (Eds.), Maximizing study abroad: A students' guide to strategies for language and culture learning and use (2nd ed., p. 139). University of Minnesota Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition. http://archive.carla.umn.edu/maxsa/guides.html

Tags:

  1. behavior
  2. communication
  3. nonverbal communication
  4. proxemics
  5. self-awareness

Being able to effectively and appropriately negotiate differences in personal space preferences is showing mastery of the skill of Communication (either capstone level or milestone 3 level) on the AAC&U Intercultural Rubric.

For some populations, talking about touching behavior will be difficult and/or polarizing. Note that the kinesthetic part of this activity only addresses personal distance. Comfort with touching is not part of the activity! However, in situations where the facilitator knows that inappropriate touching is likely to be a hot button issue, care should be taken to facilitate a trusting and supportive space for this discussion. Alternatively, the facilitator could choose to only address the personal distance part of the exercise.