Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A multitrait-multimethod investigation of interpersonal distance

  • Published:
Journal of Nonverbal Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Prior research has investigated the validity of interpersonal distance measures with respect to only one trait — comfort. This study expanded the previous research by measuring interpersonal distance along the trait dimensions of comfort, control and privacy. In addition, measures were taken along three different measurement techniques: stop distance, silhouette placement, and a paper and pencil measure (CID). The results were interpreted in terms of a multitrait-multimethod matrix. Results indicated that these measures were reliable and valid and the traits did have convergent validity. However, all of these measures were uncorrelated with a disguised distance measure of interpersonal distance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Reference Note

  • Rawls, J. R., Trego, R. E., & McCaffey, C. N.A comparison of personal space measures (Tech. Rep. 6, NASA Grant NGR-44-009-008). Forth Worth, Texas: Texas Christian University, Institute of Behavioral Research, October 1968.

    Google Scholar 

References

  • Altman, I.The environment and social behavior: Privacy, personal space, territory, crowding. Móntery, Calif.: Brooks/Cole, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, D. T., & Fiske, D. W. Convergent and discriminant validation by the multitrait-multimethod matrix.Psychological Bulletin 1959,56 81–105.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dosey, M. A., & Meisels, M. Personal space and self-protection.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1969,11 93–97.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duke, M. P., & Nowicki, S., Jr. A new measure and social-learning model for interpersonal distance.Journal of Experimental Research in Personality 1972,6 119–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goffman, E.Relations in public: Microstudies of the public order. New York: Basic Books, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haase, R. F., & Markey, M. J. A methodological note on the study of personal space.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 1973,40 122–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayduck, L. A. Personal space: An evaluative and orienting review.Psychological Bulletin 1978,85 117–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, S. E., & Aiello, J. D. Proxemic behavior of black and white first-, third-, and fifth-grade children.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 1973,25 21–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles, E. S., & Johnsen, P. K. Intrapersonal consistency in interpersonal distance.JSAS Catalog of Selected Documents in Psychology 1974,4 124. (Ms. No. 768).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuethe, J. L. Social schemas.Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology 1962,64 31–38.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levinger, G., & Gunner, J. The interpersonal grid: 1. Felt and tape techniques for the measurement of social relationships.Psychonomic Science 1967,8 173–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Little, K. B. Personal space.Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 1965,1 237–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Little, K. B, Ulehla, Z. J., & Henderson, C. Value congruence and interaction distances.Journal of Social Psychology 1968,75 249–253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Love, K. D, & Aiello, J. R. Using projective techniques to measure interaction distance: A methodological note.Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 1980,6 102–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meisels, M., & Guardo, C. Development of personal space schemata.Child Development 1969,40 1167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen, D. M. Development of a personal space measure.Psychological Reports 1973,32 527–535.

    Google Scholar 

  • Severy, L. J., Forsyth, D. R., & Wagner, P. J. A multimethod assessment of personal space development in female and male, black and white, children.Journal of Nonverbal Behavior 1980,4 68–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommer, R. Studies in personal space.Sociometry 1959,22 247–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommer, R. The distance for comfortable conversation: A further study.Sociometry 1962,25 111–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommer, R. Small group ecology.Psychological Bulletin 1967,67 145–152.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sommer, R.Personal Space: The behavioral basis of design. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice Hall, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tennis, G. H., & Dabbs, J. M., Jr. Sex, setting and personal space: First grade through college.Sociometry 1975,38 385–394.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 68182, Omaha, NE

    Carl I. Greenberg & Robert A. Myers

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City

    Michael J. Strube

Authors
  1. Carl I. Greenberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michael J. Strube
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Robert A. Myers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Greenberg, C.I., Strube, M.J. & Myers, R.A. A multitrait-multimethod investigation of interpersonal distance. J Nonverbal Behav 5, 104–114 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00986513

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00986513

Keywords

Search

Navigation