Oxford AQA A Level Psychology: PERSONAL SPACE ACCROSS CULTURES [3.3.4 Work and The Individual]

This fully editable lesson on Cultural Differences in Personal Space delves into the impact of spatial boundaries on social interactions, highlighting how cultural norms shape interpersonal distances. Aligned with the OxfordAQA International A-Level Psychology (9685) specification, this lesson guides students in understanding the biological and cultural factors that influence personal space preferences.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Lesson Slides: The slides cover foundational aspects of personal space, introducing Edward T. Hall’s proxemics theory and his four zones of interpersonal distance (intimate, personal, social, and public). Students explore cultural variations in personal space requirements, such as differences between individualist and collectivist societies. Visual aids and real-life examples help illustrate the social implications of spatial boundaries in various cultural contexts.

• Interactive Activities: Thought-provoking “Do Now” prompts engage students in reflecting on their own personal space preferences, while extension questions encourage them to consider whether personal space is biologically or culturally driven. Structured Think-Pair-Share discussions on scenarios involving personal space in crowded settings and social contexts allow students to apply proxemics theory practically, deepening their understanding of cultural differences.

• Evaluation Points and Assessment Materials: The lesson includes structured PEEE (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Evaluation) tasks to support critical evaluation. Students examine limitations of personal space research, including over-reliance on laboratory-based studies and the overlooked role of vertical space. Recent advances in virtual reality technology, which offer more realistic insights, are also discussed. Exam-style questions allow students to assess the strengths and limitations of proxemics and consider biological influences on personal space behaviours.