Don't Stand So Close to Me: The Effect of Auditory Input on Interpersonal Space

• DOI: 10.1068/p6317
• Publication Date: 2009-06-05T10:42:43Z
• Authors: Donna M Lloyd; Anna Coates; Jasmin Knopp; Sarah Oram; Samantha Rowbotham
• Keywords: Headphones; Personal space; Auditory perception; Auditory feedback

We provide preliminary evidence that listening to music through headphones alters the perception of space around body -- specifically, interpersonal distance maintained between self and others. In comparison an external auditory environment, wearing or earplugs increased amount wearer another person during active approach paradigm. This finding suggests that, when cues spatial location (such as sound) are removed, people compensate by increasing themselves The implications this research for navigating busy urban environments social interactions wearers personal systems discussed.