Privacy Regulation in Small and Large Groups

Abstract

The contrasting interaction potentials of commonly used seating ar rangements for small and large group meetings are discussed from the vantage point of contemporary definitions of privacy, which define pri vacy as the right individuals have to control what information about themselves should or should not be communicated to others and under what circumstances. Privacy is further defined as a functional aspect of the design of physical environments. Research is reviewed to show that seat location is associated with verbal interaction rates and visual acces sibility among and between group members and leaders. Furthermore, it is argued that group members' seating choices may be manifestations of coping behavior and privacy regulation and that it might be appropriate, therefore, to design and test seating layouts that allow individual users self-selected options for involvement or withdrawal. A seating arrange ment that provides these options is suggested along with some pos sibilities for enhancing privacy regulation by individuals. The paper concludes with the suggestion that user-initiated interventions into the design of physical environments can follow awareness of the dynamics of these environments.