The effects of gender differences and setting on interpersonal space with same-sex and mixed dyads : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Abstract

Gender and setting influences on invasion of space of interacting dyads were studied. One hundred eighty people (ninety males, ninety females), appearing to be between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five, were observed in two natural settings (a residential setting and a recreational setting) either walking through or around a conversing dyad. The dyads were either male-male, male-female, or female-female. The hypothesis was that the male-female dyad would be intruded upon most; that females would, in general, intrude more than males; and that intrusions would occur in the recreational setting more often than in the residential setting. The results showed one main effect, dyad type, as the only influential variable.