Naturalistic observation

Extract

[...] Alcohol served at the party was partly responsible for the narrow proxemics observed at the party. Alcohol generally affects judgment and lowers inhibition thus relegates apprehension, shyness, caution and this leads to compromised decision making. Sexual attraction is also significant in the reduction of personal space though alcohol enhances such attraction leading to premature sexual activity (Setha and Denise 61). The presence of music at a party is a precursor for dancing and the activity of dancing greatly lowers the awareness of personal space since it allows for individuals to be in close proximity. [...]

[...] Naturalistic observation Introduction The measurable distance between people as they interact - also known as proxemics can be used in psychology to further delineate human behavior. Aspects such as body language, posture and body spacing are indicative of an individual's personality and through observation it has been determined that the space between individuals in social interactions is almost similar (Setha and Denise 62). Depending on the location as well as the nature of a relationship between interacting individuals, interpersonal distance varies considerably from intimate distance (less than 6 inches) to public distance (more than 25 feet). [...]

[...] The body language of individuals in the academic environment tended to be controlled with limited gestures and nonverbal cues. Most common were the feet of communicators in this environment which pointed outwards or forward indicative of openness or focus with most group leaders leaning their bodies forward. Most interacting male students held an upright or slightly leaned back posture while female interactions and mixed gender interactions involved the parties leaning in. Most female students crossed their arms or held their books close to their chest while male students put their hands in their pockets thus minimizing hand gestures. [...]

[...] Sociofugal spaces such as the student union building recede from a central individual or theme and therefore encourage individualistic perception thus mitigate interpersonal relationships. Sociopetal spaces on the other hand such as the party venue are conductive and energized and hence encourage interpersonal interaction (Lawson 144). That is why interacting individuals at the student union building had significantly lengthier distance between themselves as compared to individuals at the party. Works Cited Hallbom, Tim. Psycho Geography. The NLP institute of California Web Feb Lawson, Bryan. The Language of Space. Oxford: Architectural Press Print. [...]