Effects of Seating Arrangement on Small-Group Behavior

The effects of seating distance and orientation on small-group behavior were investigated in male and female four-person groups. The nonfacing orientation (L-shape) produced more frequent self-manipulative behaviors and postural adjustments and longer pauses than the facing orientation (circle-shape...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social psychology quarterly 1979-06, Vol.42 (2), p.180-185
Main Authors: Patterson, Miles L., Kelly, Carl E., Kondracki, Bruce A., Wulf, Linda J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Behavior/Behavioral
Dyadic relations
Gestures
Group discussion
Group/Groups/Grouping/Groupism
Legs
Observational research
Research Notes
Small
Social interaction
Social psychology
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Summary:The effects of seating distance and orientation on small-group behavior were investigated in male and female four-person groups. The nonfacing orientation (L-shape) produced more frequent self-manipulative behaviors and postural adjustments and longer pauses than the facing orientation (circle-shape). No overall effects were found for distance or sex composition of the groups on either the behaviors in the group discussion or on rated satisfaction with the group interaction. A correlational analysis of the behavioral measures and ratings indicated that increased pause lengths in the discussion were predictive of more negative ratings of the group interaction. The processes underlying the orientation effects and the potential generalizability of these effects are also discussed.
ISSN:0190-2725
1939-8999
DOI:10.2307/3033699