Interpersonal distance as a function of situationally induced anxiety

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of situationally induced anxiety on interpersonal distance in a two-person conversation. In the anxiety-arousing situation subjects were asked to discuss an interesting incident while their social competence was assessed from behind a one-way screen. The briefing and debriefing periods were used for control purposes. Analysis of speech disturbance rates showed that the anxiety manipulation was successful. A significant increase in interpersonal distance was found in the anxiety-inducing situation relative to the low stress situation. The implications for the controversy concerning the effect of anxiety on the need for affliation are discussed.