Psychology investigated

• Interpersonal distance (personal space)

  • the preferred distance between 2 ppl, depending on their relationship, cultural norms, personal factors
  • if another person enter this personal space, a person may feel uncomfortable or threatened
  • dynamics of social interaction and is a cue signalling responsiveness and feeling comfortable -
  • 4 zones of interpersonal distance:

  1. intimate zone/distance (close friends or family)
  2. personal zone (social interactions)
  3. social zone (formal interactions)
  4. public zone (interactions with public figures such as authority figures, lecturers, etc)
• Empathy

  • a trait, important in social relationships
  • a person's ability to understand the thoughts, feelings & experiences of another
  • comprises 2 dimensions: cognitive & affective empathy
  • affective empathy: ability to 'feel' that same emotional state
  • level of empathy affects the way a person process social cues & respond emotionally
• Social hormones

  • oxytocin: social hormone, acts as a neurotransmitter; plays a role in social bonding, childbirth & breastfeeding, has been seen to promote prosocial & approach behaviors
  • in some context, oxytocin can lead to envy, risk aversion & feelings of hostility towards strangers