Abstract:This paper aims to discuss the cultural factors which have great influence on interpersonal distance. The author pays much attention to the collectivism in eastern culture and individualism in western culture. The examples show that in different cultural backgrounds and different occasions, the spatial distance has different connotation. The people in individualist need larger distance than people in collectivist culture. It also tries to study the mutual effects between interpersonal distances and interpersonal behaviors. So people need to know better of the spatial distance and keep the optimal distance with others in order to avoid the embarrassment and conflict. 

Key words: interpersonal distance; interpersonal behavior; culture; individualism; collectivism

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction .1

2. Literature review2

3. Interpersonal distance and interpersonal behavior 3

3.1 The influence from the body distance on interpersonal behavior

3.1.1 Hall’s categories in interpersonal distance

3.1.2 Optimal distance

3.2 The influence from the interpersonal behavior on body distance

3.2.1 Positive interpersonal behavior  

3.2.2 Negative interpersonal behavior

4. Factors influencing the interpersonal distance in intercultural communication.8

4.1 cultural factors

4.2 Psychological factor

5. The tendency of interpersonal distance in intercultural communication.10

6. Conclusion11

Bibliography.13

Acknowledgments14