This study explores the differences in reactions in genders when personal space is breached. Personal space is an invisible unconscious personal comfort zone that varies in size depending on the size and environmental context. Depending on the situation, feelings such as aggression, intimacy or general discomforts are common when an individuals personal space is compromised. The study attempted to determine whether or not females reacted friendlier than males when personal space was threatened. Out of 47 subjects 19 were female and 28 were male. Subjects were observed for 30 seconds and assessed either friendly or not friendly based on certain criteria after the 30 seconds had elapsed. The results provided a significant difference in reactions when personal space was compromised. Females tended to display a friendlier behavior than males. In understanding these results males and females should recognize the differences in personal space in order to avoid misinterpreting male and female body language in close mixed gender environments.

The subjects were given approximately 30 seconds before the researcher assessed their behavior. Subjects were assessed to be either friendly or unfriendly after a 30-second observation. The necessary criteria to establish friendliness consisted of one or more of the following: a smile, an initiation of a pleasant conversation, or eye contact with a greeting. A pleasant conversation can be defined as anything that was not an obvious tool by the subject to attempt to motivate the researcher to leave the subjects personal space but rather to almost welcome or not appear offended by it. Any other reaction or unreaction was deemed negative or unfriendly. If a subject displayed multiple reactions within the 30-second observation the friendly and unfriendly observations were tallied and the dominant behavior prevailed.

Remland, Martin S., Jones, Tricia S., & Brinkman, Heidi (1995). Interpersonal distance, body orientation and touch: Effects of culture, gender and age. The Journal of Social Psychology, 135(3), 281-297.

Gibson, Bryan., Harris, Paul & Werner, Carol (1993)., Intimacy and personal space: A classroom demonstration. Teaching of Psychology, 20(3), 180-181.

Observations took place on February 8, 2001 between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. The researcher emerged non-observation time in anaerobic activity in order to blend in with the subjects. When a potential subject was spotted (resting and inactive) the researcher approached and stood with in two feet of the subject (Two feet is a significant amount in an environment were the comfort zone is significantly larger). The researcher continued to look at the subject noting the time. At the end of 30 seconds the subject was either assessed friendly or unfriendly based on the criteria. The subjects were then debriefed on the reason for the invasion of space. The debriefing was mostly concerned with saving face for the researcher who tends to utilize those facilities often.

Burgoon, J. K., Buller, D. B., & Woodall, W. G. (1989). Nonverbal communication: The unspoken dialogue. New York: Harper and Row.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1419
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)