Interaction Distances in Same-Sex and Mixed-Sex Groups

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Interaction distances of same-sex and mixed-sex groups were studied by photographing groups sitting or lying on a public beach. Male-female distances were significantly smaller than both male-male and female-female distances. Furthermore, clothed individuals were closer together than persons wearing bathing suits. The results are related to the findings of previous studies which have shown that opposite-sex strangers tend to exhibit less intimacy than same-sex strangers, and it is suggested that where “sexual interaction” is regarded as inappropriate, greater distance is shown by mixed-sex groups, but where “sexual interaction” is appropriate less distance is shown, compared to same-sex groups.

This publication has 11 references indexed in Scilit: