Attention has recently been given to the influence of proximity and eye contact on evaluations of psychological closeness in dyadic interactions. Scherer and Schifi (1973) found observers viewing different arrangements of posed males seated at a cafeteria table judged them to be more intimate when proximity and eye contact were high. The present study explored the impact of these nonverbal cues on impressions formed of dyad members of one another, under an inflexible seating arrangement. It was hypothesized that increased proximity and eye contact would elicit greater positive evaluations despite the apparent inability of participants to modify their seating arrangements.
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References
1.
SchererS. E.SchiffM. R.Perceived intimacy, physical distance and eye contact. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1973, 36, 835–841.
