Question
(a) Describe what psychologists have discovered about consumer behaviour and personal space:
• personal space at restaurant tables (including Hall’s four zones), and
• overload, arousal and behaviour constraint. [6]
(b) Evaluate what psychologists have discovered about consumer behaviour and personal space:
• personal space at restaurant tables (including Hall’s four zones), and
• overload, arousal and behaviour constraint, including a discussion of cultural differences.
Evaluation in your answer can include strengths, weaknesses and a discussion of issues and debates. [10]
Section C: Health Psychology
Answer all questions.
Mark scheme
8(a) Describe what psychologists have discovered about consumer behaviour and 6 Award up to 4 marks where the
personal space: response has described only
• personal space at restaurant tables (including Hall’s four zones), and part of the question even if the
• overload, arousal and behaviour constraint. response otherwise meets the
criteria for level 3.
Use Table A: AO1 Knowledge and understanding to mark candidate responses to this
question.
Candidates should describe Hall’s four zones of personal space, concepts of overload,
arousal and behaviour constraint and the study by Robson et al, although clearly not in
the detail required for a complete key study essay. Full marks can be obtained without
including a study. The personal space zones must be linked to restaurant tables for L3.
Syllabus content
• personal space at restaurant tables including Hall’s four zones; functions such as
overload, arousal and behaviour constraint (exemplified by Robson et al. (2011).
Hall’s four zones
Hall describes four zones or interpersonal distances of humans:
1 Intimate space – distance for embracing, touching or whispering and used with
intimate relationships. This may be as close as 1–2 cm (1 inch) and up to 46 cm (18
inches)
2 Personal space – distance for interactions with family or close friends. This is likely
to be between 46 cm (18 inches) and 122 cm (4 feet).
3 Social space – for interactions with acquaintances. This is likely to be 1.2 m (4 feet)
and up to 3.7 m (12 feet).
4 Public distance – used for public speaking and ranging between 3.7 m (12 feet) to
over 8 m (25 feet).
Functions such as overload, arousal and behaviour constraint
Maintaining our personal space allows us to avoid becoming stressed or even
threatened by people coming too close. Responses to the invasion of our personal
space can include 3 issues: overload, arousal, and behaviour constraint:
8(a) 1 Overload – we maintain personal space in order to reduce the amount of
information needing to be dealt with. When people are too close, we have to
process information relating to their features such as their smell and possibly even
their touch and have no choice in this. This means we are overloaded with
information to process. Together with a lack of control of the information we process
this produces stress.
2 Arousal – when personal space is invaded, we may feel a heightened sense of
arousal. This can be context-dependent so in some settings this is positive (at a
party). The same behaviour and sense of arousal is likely to be interpreted
differently in an intimate dining experience. In a restaurant, if the atmosphere is that
of a celebration, then this arousal may be positive but being too close to a stranger
when eating out with a spouse will be seen more negatively.
3 Behaviour constraint – this is allied to the sense of control we have as to our
freedom to move when we feel uncomfortable. Crowds will act differently to an
individual as when we are in a crowd, we may not have the ability to move into a
more comfortable personal freedom zone. If we are seated very closely to someone
and unable to move away in a restaurant, we may feel anger, resentment and
certainly uncomfortable.
Robson et al. (2011).
Survey of over 1000 American participants over the web. Given a scenario where they
are in a restaurant where the tables are placed 6, 12, 24 inches apart. Participants gave
their details first (e.g., age, ethnicity, residence, etc.). They were asked how often they
visit restaurants and if they have ever worked in the restaurant industry. 3 dining
scenarios given – romantic, with a friend and a business lunch. Randomly assigned to
one of nine table situations. Given thirty-two statements that solicited their emotional and
behavioural responses to specific distances. The 6-inch space led to the participants
reporting feeling more crowded, less private, more dissatisfied with the table and having
a less positive experience of the meal. Strongest responses given for romantic scenario
to 6-inch space, with a friend second and business was least. Women reported being
more uncomfortable than men at all three distances (more stress, less control, and
greater discomfort. Men expressed more arousal than women in all three distances.
Other appropriate responses should also be credited.
8(b) Evaluate what psychologists have discovered about consumer behaviour and 10
personal space:
• personal space at restaurant tables (including Hall’s four zones), and
• overload, arousal and behaviour constraint,
including a discussion of cultural differences.
Use Table B: AO3 Analysis and evaluation to mark candidate responses to this
question. Depending on the examples studied by candidates their answers may vary.
A range of issues could be used for evaluation. These include:
• Named issue – cultural differences – Hall acknowledged that the personal space
zones will differ in terms of specific physical difference. However, the existence of
the zones and their positions will not be culturally dependent. Overload, arousal and
behaviour constraint are also likely to exist universally. In the Robson study, the
table spacing used was within a Western culture (USA). There may be significant
difference in how comfortable people from other cultures will feel with the spacings
of 6, 12 and 18 inches. For example, in India, it is more common practice for people
to sit closer together when eating. Although it is worth noting that this is more likely
when the people you are eating with are close friends and family. In a more
business setting, in many cases the distance may need to be further apart
• Individual and situational explanations – Clearly the concepts of zones and the
majority of the issues raised in the Robson study come from situational explanations
of personal space. However, there will be individual influences that may depend on
individual cultural background, personality, confidence etc. that could influence both
the way overload, arousal etc. are experienced and the sense of personal space.
• Observations – (not really relevant to this bullet point) – candidates could discuss
how observations could be made of people’s personal space and their behaviours in
it. Not relevant to Robson study.
• Quantitative and Qualitative data – Robson study collected a great deal of
quantitative data allowing a lot of statistical analysis. However, participants did not
give any qualitative responses so researchers cannot be completely sure of all
potential reasons for responses.
8(b) • Ethics – Robson study seems to be ethical. This is because by carrying out an
online survey, participants are not actually physically exposed to being seated close
to people. However, there could be ethical issues with research into personal space
if participants are forced into spaces with which they feel uncomfortable. In order to
receive information from participants about their feelings of overload, arousal and
behaviour constraint informed consent would need to be obtained and they need to
feel comfortable withdrawing from the research if they wish to. This could be tackled
with sensitive briefing.
Additional issues candidates may include:
• Ecological validity
• Generalisations
• Individual differences
• Independent measures design
Other appropriate responses should also be credited.