Which term refers to the use of personal space in communication?

Which term refers to the use of personal space in communication?

• A. Haptics
• B. Proxemics
• C. External Anchoring
• D. Stereotyping

Answer: (B)

Proxemics refers to how people use and interpret space in communication. It covers the physical distances between people—intimate, personal, social, and public—and how those distances convey attitudes, relationships, and levels of formality. In interviews or tense situations, the distance you maintain can affect rapport, comfort, and the amount of information someone shares, so being aware of these spatial cues matters. Haptics is about touch, not distance. External Anchoring isn’t a standard term in communication theory. Stereotyping deals with generalized beliefs about groups, not how space is used during interaction.

Proxemics refers to how people use and interpret space in communication. It covers the physical distances between people—intimate, personal, social, and public—and how those distances convey attitudes, relationships, and levels of formality. In interviews or tense situations, the distance you maintain can affect rapport, comfort, and the amount of information someone shares, so being aware of these spatial cues matters.

Haptics is about touch, not distance. External Anchoring isn’t a standard term in communication theory. Stereotyping deals with generalized beliefs about groups, not how space is used during interaction.