Proxemics is the study of human use of space and the effects that population density has on behavior, communication, and social interaction.
A long shot—the public proxemic
A full shot—the social proxemic
A medium shot—the personal proxemic
A close-up—the intimate proxemic
Nonverbal communication (NVC) is the transmission of messages or signals through a nonverbal platform such as eye contact (oculesics), body language (kinesics), social distance (proxemics), touch (haptics), voice (paralanguage), physical environments/appearance, and use of objects. When communicating, we utilize nonverbal channels as means to convey different messages or signals, whereas others can interpret these message. The study of nonverbal communication started in 1872 with the publication of The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals by Charles Darwin. Darwin began to study nonverbal communication as he noticed the interactions between animals such as lions, tigers, dogs etc. and realized they also communicated by gestures and expressions. For the first time, nonverbal communication was studied and its relevance questioned. Today, scholars argue that nonverbal communication can convey more meaning than verbal communication.
Understanding each other through hand and eye expression; seen in a street near the bell tower of Xi'an, China
Charles Darwin wrote The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals in 1872.
Policeman directing traffic by gesture
Information about the relationship and affect of these two skaters is communicated by their body posture, eye gaze and physical contact.
