Psychological tension and closeness to others: stress and interpersonal distance preference.

The prediction that increased tension would lead to a preference for greater distance from others was tested on 40 male and 40 female Ss approached in eight natural settings of high or low tension and their distance preference measured. Ss in the four higher-tension situations indicated a preference for significantly more distance. Self-reported tension was correlated significantly and positively with the distance preferred across all eight situations. There was no effect of sex.