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Abstract

The present study examined how subjects respond to personal space encroachments in a laboratory (N = 108) or shopping centre (N = 120) setting. Male or female confederates, with or without a question, intruded upon the personal space of male or female subjects. Two different questions were asked in two different settings to create the same condition. In the laboratory, subjects waited for a shorter time when they were intruded upon with a question (of saliency invasion) than in any other condition. When invaded with a question, subjects showed higher anxiety than when invaded without a question (standard invasion). Significant interaction effect of sex of the subject and approach with a question was noted on O-factor. Subjects scored higher on the Q₄ and the Q₃ factors in the saliency invasion than in the standard invasion condition. In the shopping centre, subjects walked faster in the invasion saliency condition than in any other condition. Subjects asked a question walked faster than when approached without a question. Significant interaction of the sex of the subject and approach with a question was noted on the speed of walking.

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Reactions to Crowding in Different Settings

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