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1/8 What is the psychology of physical distancing?
Why might the people we care about be at greatest risk?
#COVID19
Why might the people we care about be at greatest risk?
#COVID19
2/8
Physical distancing is antithetical to a basic self-process - the tendency to try to get closer to ingroup members.
@novelli_david shows this in the '2 chairs' experiment, with behavioural measures.
(Read on for moderators of this effect)
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1348/014466609X449377
Physical distancing is antithetical to a basic self-process - the tendency to try to get closer to ingroup members.
@novelli_david shows this in the '2 chairs' experiment, with behavioural measures.
(Read on for moderators of this effect)
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1348/014466609X449377
3/8
The findings of the '2 chairs' study have been replicated in numerous student projects, and complemented by field studies also showing the tendency to get physically closer to in-group members: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0078983
The findings of the '2 chairs' study have been replicated in numerous student projects, and complemented by field studies also showing the tendency to get physically closer to in-group members: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0078983
4/8
Findings show that we try to get closer to people when they are ingroup members.
Put differently, as well as maintaining 'personal space', *we seek to share common identity space*
The predictions were derived from self-categorisation theory.
Findings show that we try to get closer to people when they are ingroup members.
Put differently, as well as maintaining 'personal space', *we seek to share common identity space*
The predictions were derived from self-categorisation theory.
5/8
This basic self-process also helps explain findings that:
There is often greater atmosphere in the more crowded locations at events: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0078983
We can feel safer in crowded events when we are among in-group members: https://www.pnas.org/content/111/25/9091
This basic self-process also helps explain findings that:
There is often greater atmosphere in the more crowded locations at events: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0078983
We can feel safer in crowded events when we are among in-group members: https://www.pnas.org/content/111/25/9091
6/8
The critical role of the self means that regulations around physical distancing need to be expressed in terms of strong identity-congruent norms, to moderate this process of proximity-seeking:
#COVID19
The critical role of the self means that regulations around physical distancing need to be expressed in terms of strong identity-congruent norms, to moderate this process of proximity-seeking:
#COVID19
7/8
Thus, physical distancing is:
For our greater good
For our public health
For keeping those we care about safe
In line with our values
To support our health and care workers
#COVID19
Thus, physical distancing is:
For our greater good
For our public health
For keeping those we care about safe
In line with our values
To support our health and care workers
#COVID19
8/8
Researchgate (i.e. free) version of @novelli_david's '2 chairs' study of the identity basis of physical proximity-seeking can be found here:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26289100_Come_together_Two_studies_concerning_the_impact_of_group_relations_on_%27personal_space%27
#COVID19
Researchgate (i.e. free) version of @novelli_david's '2 chairs' study of the identity basis of physical proximity-seeking can be found here:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26289100_Come_together_Two_studies_concerning_the_impact_of_group_relations_on_%27personal_space%27
#COVID19
