Personal Space, Sex of Experimenter, and Locus of Control in Normal and Delinquent Adolescents

Abstract

This study investigated the interrelationship of personal space, sex of experimenter, and locus of control in 28 delinquent and 28 normal adolescent males (13 to 17 yr. old). The personal space measure was the distance at which the subjective discomfort felt by the adolescent caused him to stop the approaching experimenter. The experimenter approached from the front, rear, left, and right side of the adolescent. Results indicated that: (a) these delinquents did not demand greater personal space than normals, (b) there was a significant increase in personal space from front to rear for both groups, (c) both groups allowed female experimenters to approach closer than male experimenters, and (d) while delinquents were more external than normals, this personality variable did not mediate personal space requirements. In general, delinquents were similar to normals on all personal space indices.