Which Seat Do You Choose to Sit Down? Immediate and Anticipated Personal Space Considerations when Choosing a Seat in a Public Area

In public areas, people often encounter situations of close proximity to others where it is likely that an individual’s personal space (PS) gets intruded. PS is the area surrounding an individual that includes the intimate and personal domain (within 1.50 meters of a person). We aimed to investigate the role of PS in seating behavior and to extend previous research by distinguishing an immediate PS consideration (i.e., considering PS in the immediate situation) from an anticipated PS consideration (i.e., considering PS also in a possible future situation). We conducted an observational study (N = 237), an open-ended question study (N = 40), and an experimental online study using a mixed-design (N = 325) in the context of choosing a seat in a railway station concourse. The results revealed that most participants chose a seat outside their intimate and personal domain. We concluded that people try to safeguard their PS. Furthermore, immediate and anticipated PS considerations both...Show moreIn public areas, people often encounter situations of close proximity to others where it is likely that an individual’s personal space (PS) gets intruded. PS is the area surrounding an individual that includes the intimate and personal domain (within 1.50 meters of a person). We aimed to investigate the role of PS in seating behavior and to extend previous research by distinguishing an immediate PS consideration (i.e., considering PS in the immediate situation) from an anticipated PS consideration (i.e., considering PS also in a possible future situation). We conducted an observational study (N = 237), an open-ended question study (N = 40), and an experimental online study using a mixed-design (N = 325) in the context of choosing a seat in a railway station concourse. The results revealed that most participants chose a seat outside their intimate and personal domain. We concluded that people try to safeguard their PS. Furthermore, immediate and anticipated PS considerations both play a role in seating behavior; however, both are merely facets of PS rather than two exclusive concepts. With our results, we hope to extend the theory of PS as well as inform and possibly influence the design of seating arrangements to optimize people’s well-being in public areas.Show less

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Which Seat Do You Choose to Sit Down? Immediate and Anticipated Personal Space Considerations when Choosing a Seat in a Public Area