Birds
of a Feather Flock Together. . .
But Not Too Close Together!
Have
you noticed that animals—from cows in a pasture to birds on a wire—maintain
space around each other? People do it too. We call it personal space,
and scientists call it individual distance. Notice the
spacing between the robins in these pictures. What do you think the individual
distance between robins is?
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Photo:
Gerry Stewart |
Photo:
B.Stanton |
Photo:
M.Landry |
Try
This!
Think
how you feel when someone "gets in your face." It's uncomfortable
when someone is talking with you, nose-to-nose! How much personal space
do YOU need? Figure it out:
1.
Get with a partner and stand six feet apart.
2. Take tiny
steps towards each other until you no longer feel comfortable getting
closer.
3. Now measure
the distance apart. This measurement is your personal space.
4. After
everyone figures their personal space, calculate the average "personal
space" for kids in your class.
Journaling Question
- Do you
predict the results of this experiment will be the same in six months?
Explain your thinking. Mark your calendar to repeat it and see!
- How might
you explain individual differences in personal space needed?
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