Proxemics: Some Challenges and Strategies in Nonverbal Communication

Abstract

The term ‘proxemics’ refers to the study of spatial dimension of nonverbal behavior. The understanding of occupation, cultivation, preservation and utilization of the four levels of space, with respect to the relative cultural levels, shall help one comprehend the proxemic behavior of an individual, and thus of a culture. The knowledge and application of certain skills related to proxemics have become very important today. This paper discusses some of the characteristics of proxemics, approaches in the study of proxemic behavior of an individual and culture, and also some of the strategies to be employed to make use of proxemics for effective communication.