Quantity of the physical distance declared by students in different situations

Abstract

The purpose of the study described in this paper was investigated students' expectations with respect to physical distance between people, objects and animals in different situations. Data were gathered from 263 students (131 females, 132 males) from the Humanistic Institute in Walbrzych Higher Vocational College (PWSZ) and from the Faculty of Physical Education in Pawel Wlodkowic University College in Plock Higher School (SWPW). Students were conducted their studies as a part of bachelors degree. In this study we used 22- items Polish version of the IPROX questionnaires developed by Hogh-Olesen (2008), in which subjects in simulated situations were instructed to place humans, objects, and animals' in relation to other representatives of their category. Results indicate that IPROX questionnaire were very useful in assessing of the physical distance declared by students. With regard to student sex disclosed statistically significant differences the declared distances only in four situations. In every of them the male students declared significantly longer distance, than female students. A comparative analysis of average distances declared by the subjects from Greenland, Denmark, Italy, Cameroon and India [Hogh-Olesen, 2008] as well as Polish students showed existence cross-cultural differences.

Keywords

• physical distance
• personal space
• questionnaire IPROX
• cross-cultural differences