ScienceDaily (Oct. 12, 2011) ? How close could a stranger come to you before you start feeling uncomfortable? Usually, people start feeling uneasy when unfamiliar people come within an arm's reach. But take the subway (underground rail) during rush hour and you have no choice but to get up close and personal with complete strangers.
Researchers at Royal Holloway, University of London wanted to find out whether there is a way to make this intrusion more tolerable. Their results, published in the journal PLoS One, reveal that listening to music through headphones can change people's margins of personal space.
Dr Manos Tsakiris, from the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, said: "This distance we try to maintain between ourselves and others is a comfort zone surrounding our bodies. Everyone knows where the boundaries of their personal space are even though they may not consciously dictate them. Of course personal space can be modified for example in a number of relationships including family members and romantic partners, but on a busy tube or bus you can find complete strangers encroaching in this space."
The study, led by Dr Tsakiris and Dr Ana Tajadura-Jim?nez from Royal Holloway, involved asking volunteers to listen to positive or negative emotion-inducing music through headphones or through speakers. At the same time, a stranger started walking towards them and the participants were asked to say "stop" when they started feeling uncomfortable.
The results showed that when participants were listening to music that evoked positive emotions through headphones, they let the stranger come closer to them, indicating a change in their own personal space. Dr Tajadura-Jim?nez explains: "Listening to music that induces positive emotions delivered through headphones shifts the margins of personal space. Our personal space "shrinks," allowing others to get closer to us."
Dr Tsakiris added: "So next time you are ready to board a packed train, turn on your mp3 player and let others come close to you without fear of feeling invaded."
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Story Source:
The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by University of Royal Holloway London.
Journal Reference:
- Ana Tajadura-Jim?nez, Galini Pantelidou, Pawel Rebacz, Daniel V?stfj?ll, Manos Tsakiris. I-Space: The Effects of Emotional Valence and Source of Music on Interpersonal Distance. PLoS ONE, 2011; 6 (10): e26083 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026083
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/2E1VQdpPsTI/111013085117.htm
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