Environmental determinants of self-disclosure

The effects of interpersonal distance, room size and a Room Size x Interpersonal Distance interaction on verbal and nonverbal affiliative behaviors during an interview were examined. A 2 x 3 factorial design with 2 room sizes and 3 interpersonal distances was used. There were no room size nor Room Size x Interpersonal Distance interaction effects noted, whereas interpersonal distance had a significant effect. Subjects engaged in less affiliative behaviors at closer interpersonal distances than they did at greater interpersonal distances. The results were interpreted through a combination of Argyle and Dean's (1965) equilibrium theory and Hall's (1961) zone system theory. A discussion of practical implications and improvements in the experimental design was included.