Interpersonal space (IPS) is the space surrounding our bodies during face-to-face interactions with others, and maintaining appropriate IPS is essential for effective communication. Most studies on IPS have focused on the physiological and psychological responses to the presence of strangers within IPS, which typically result in increased heart rate and discomfort. However, the presence of friends or acquaintances can influence these responses differently. In a recent study, researchers investigated how social relationships affect responses to the presence of friends and acquaintances at different relative positions in IPS, measuring changes in discomfort, heart rate, and parasympathetic activity to enhance our understanding of IPS.
The team of researchers from Japan examined the effect of social relationships on physiological and psychological responses to others in IPS, considering real-life scenarios where friends or acquaintances are standing nearby. They used electrocardiogram (ECG) data to measure changes in heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), and subjective discomfort when participants were paired with friends in various relative positions in IPS during static tasks. Results showed that the greatest discomfort, decrease in heart rate, and increase in HRV occurred when participants were face-to-face with their friends, indicating that familiarity influences physiological responses during social interactions.
The findings of the study suggest that social relationships play a significant role in shaping physiological responses during social interactions. Unlike previous studies that focused on the activation of sympathetic activity in response to strangers invading personal space, this study demonstrated that the presence of familiar individuals can activate parasympathetic activity instead. This highlights the importance of considering social relationships when examining physiological responses to the presence of others in IPS, as responses can vary based on the level of familiarity between individuals.
The researchers also observed that heart rate only decreased in specific relative positions, such as face-to-face and side profiles, when participants were paired with friends, indicating that the location and orientation of individuals within IPS can influence physiological responses. Additionally, no changes were noted during tasks involving inanimate objects in the IPS, further emphasizing the role of social relationships in shaping responses to the presence of others during interpersonal interactions. These findings contribute to our understanding of how social relationships impact physiological and psychological responses in different social contexts.
Dr. Kae Mukai, Assistant Professor at Waseda University and lead researcher of the study, emphasized the potential implications of these findings for developing communication methods tailored to individual responses to others in various social settings. By recognizing the influence of social relationships on physiological responses during interpersonal interactions, strategies can be implemented to enhance communication and create environments that are conducive to diverse social interactions. This research illuminates the complexity of human responses to social interactions and underscores the importance of considering social relationships in understanding interpersonal dynamics.
