Intimacy balance

The intimacy equilibrium theory according to Argyle and Dean (1965) assumes that every interaction and every relationship has its own specific level of intimacy, which the partners strive to maintain by constantly controlling their intimacy signals (looks, degree of smiles, distance to the neighbor) . These non-verbal communication channels have a regulating effect on each other so that the distance to the other is maintained.

The accepted level of intimacy depends on the role of the other person, the content of the communication and the communication environment. The level of intimacy we communicate and try to maintain depends on who we are talking to (whether with a friend, colleague, love partner etc.), what we are talking about (weather, money matters etc.) and where we are talking (on the street, in a restaurant, in an elevator etc.). The intimacy equilibrium theory therefore says that we compensate for the increase in intimacy signals in one modality (e.g. small interpersonal distance) by taking back another modality (e.g. more discreet gaze behavior).

example

If, for example, two people talking to each other enter an elevator , which, due to the limited space, causes the interlocutors to be physically close, according to the theory they break off the conversation or look away from each other in order to restore the intimacy balance before entering the elevator. You only resume the conversation after you have left the elevator, if the distance is possible again.

literature

• Argyle, M. & Dean, J .: Eye-contact, distance and affiliation. In: Sociometry 28: 289-304, 1965
• Forgas, Social Interaction and Communication , 1999