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Abstract

Affiliative conflict theory states that interpersonal situations involve avoidance tendencies which are induced by the presence and characteristics of others. The purpose of this study was to show that clothing is a variable which affects interpersonal distance in social interaction. Wearing out-of-date clothing is highly visible and may be a negatively valued characteristic which may induce spatial avoidance reactions. Wearing clothing currently in fashion may give an impression ofgreater sociability and lead to closer interpersonal distances. To test these hypotheses, a repeated measures design utilized five figure drawings which varied only in style of jeans drawn on the figure. Subjects were asked to draw a stickfigure, representing themselves, at a distancefrom the other person at which they would feel most comfortable. Distance between each experimental figure and subject's corresponding figure drawing was analyzed for relationships between distance and clothing fashionability. Multivariate analysis indicatedfashionability was a factor in distance. Further analysis revealed distance from most fashionable figures was significantly less than distance from leastfashionable,figures. Results of this study imply that interpersonal distance in social interaction is modifiable through clothing manipulation.

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Fashionable Versus Out-of-Date Clothing and Interpersonal Distance

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