Perry et al. (Personal Space)

Question 1

Background

Answer 1

Horowitz(1964) and Lloyd(2009).

Interpersonal distance differs from person to person

When someone’s interpersonal space has been crossed a person may be threatened.

Personal space affects emotion and actions.

Question 2

Aim

Answer 2

Perry et al. investigated whether oxytocin (OT) affects preferred personal space based on ones empathy level.

Question 3

Hypothesis

Answer 3

1. OT will promote closeness with those with high levels of empathy.
2. OT will increase interpersonal distance for those with low empathy.
3. OT’s effects will depend on the type of social level.

Question 4

Method

Answer 4

Lab Experiment

Mixed design

Techniques:
- Double Blind
- Computerized Task
- Questionnaire (IRI)

Question 5

Sample

Answer 5

Participants: 56 males

Age range: 19 - 32 years old
All Volunteered

Five participants were left-handed.

Question 6

Data/Materials

Answer 6

Oxytocin Administration: Participants self-administrated oxytocin or saline placebo.

Empathy: IRI questionnaire.

Experiments
- One: Computerized Comfortable Interpersonal Distance (cCID).
- Two: Choosing a Room.

Question 7

Procedure

Answer 7

Step One: Administration of either oxytocin or placebo in a double-blind fashion.

Step Two: Completion of the IRI questionnaire to assess empathy levels.

Step Three: Experiment One/ cCID

Step Four: Experiment Two/ Choosing a room, participants choose based on comfort.

Question 8

Results

Answer 8

Experiment One
- In the high empathy group, oxytocin decreased the interspace distance.
- Low empathy group, oxytocin increased the preferred distance.

Experiment Two
- High empathy individuals chose configurations with closer chair distance under oxytocic compared to placebo.

Question 9

Conclusion

Answer 9

Oxytocin’s impact on personal space depends on empathy.