Smaller preferred interpersonal distance for joint versus parallel action

Digital connection, real bonding: Brief online chats boost interpersonal closeness regardless of the conversational topic

This study explores how the quality of brief dyadic written exchanges (lasting under 5 min) on a virtual platform and the nature of the conversational topic (abstract or concrete), influences physical, interpersonal, and psychological closeness between interlocutors. In the first experiment, participants engaged in written conversations on either an abstract or concrete topic under two conditions: (i) an interactive condition, where participants exchanged messages with another person, and (ii) a non-interactive condition, where participants wrote independently on the same topic, aware that another person was simultaneously doing the same. Results indicated that participants in the interactive condition reported feeling significantly closer to their interlocutor than those in the non-interactive condition. In addition, greater perceived pleasantness, intimacy, and the importance of the other person's contribution to the conversation were associated with increased feelings of closeness. However, inconclusive evidence was obtained regarding the interaction of the other person's contribution with the abstractness of the conversational topic during the written exchanges in fostering feelings of closeness. The second experiment focused only on the interactive condition, where we examined interpersonal dynamics across different subcategories of abstract (e.g., philosophical/spiritual, emotional, social, physical/spatio-temporal) and concrete topics (e.g., tools, animals, food). The results of the first experiment were replicated, reinforcing the idea that the quality of the virtual exchange-rather than the topic itself-plays a crucial role in fostering feelings of closeness between individuals.

Perceived interpersonal distance changes in young Taiwanese pre and post SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

The persistent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, spanning over three years, has profoundly impacted daily life worldwide. Crucial measures like interpersonal distance (IPD) and mask-wearing have become paramount in preventing infection. With SARS-CoV-2 now resembling an endemic condition similar to influenza, it is vital to assess the changes in IPD influenced by relevant factors during and after the pandemic. This study concentrated on two specific stages (the pandemic stage and the post-pandemic era) and investigated variations in IPD with different test combinations. Variables taken into account encompassed the pandemic stage, participant gender, target gender, and mask-wearing status. We examined IPD data from 100 young individuals (50 males and 50 females) at each stage, with a one-year interval between tests. The results highlighted the substantial impact of all variables on perceived IPD during the pandemic phase (all p < 0.001). However, in the post-pandemic stage, only mask-wearing demonstrated a notable effect on IPD (p < 0.001). As the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic subsides, the enduring influence of mask usage on IPD persists. Nevertheless, the gap between the two mask-wearing scenarios diminishes, contracting from around 50 cm during the epidemic phase to 20 cm in the post-epidemic phase. Across these two pandemic stages, there was an overall reduction of approximately 90 cm in IPD, indicating a noteworthy decrease in perceived personal space and a consequential shortening of social proximity during the post-pandemic stage. This decrease in IPD may suggest the successful socio-cultural adaptation of the young Taiwanese individuals in our study during the post-pandemic era.

Perceived Interpersonal Distances: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Young Taiwanese and Young Southeast Asians during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Prior research on interpersonal distance (IPD) has predominantly concentrated on specific nationalities or population groups within their respective regions. There is a dearth of studies investigating IPD differences among individuals of distinct nationalities coexisting in the same geographical location. This study aimed to examine the variances in IPD between 100 young Taiwanese participants (comprising 50 males and 50 females) and 100 Southeast Asian individuals (including 50 males and 50 females). This study also considered factors affecting IPD, including target genders and mask-wearing conditions. The results of the four-way ANOVA indicate that target gender and mask-wearing conditions had a significant impact on IPD (p < 0.001). While there were no significant main effects for region and participant gender, there was a noteworthy interactive effect between these two variables on IPD. In general, Southeast Asian participants exhibited lower sensitivity to changes in IPD in response to the independent variables in comparison to their Taiwanese counterparts; in certain instances, their IPD did not notably increase when confronted with targets not wearing masks. While prior research typically indicated that women tend to maintain larger IPD than men, the current study observed this gender difference only among young Taiwanese participants. However, such a gender gap was absent among young individuals from Southeast Asia.