The Relationship Between Body Buffer Zone and Violence as Assessed By Subjective and Objective Techniques

Abstract

Thirty-two male inmates at a state correctional institution were selected on the basis of behavioral histories of violence and nonviolence for a study of body buffer-zone characteristics. Subjects were matched according to age and race, and their sensitivity to intrusion of personal space was measured by subjective verbal response (VR) and galvanic skin response (GSR). Results indicated that violent inmates had significantly greater sensitivity to approach than nonviolent subjects on both assessment techniques. Unlike the findings of previous investigations, between-group differences on sensitivity to approach from the rear in relation to approach from the front were not evidenced in this study. For methodological purposes, comparisons were also made of the assessment techniques involved.