In special education, are female dyads more likely to communicate at a closer distance than male only and mixed dyads?
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Authors
Dame, Jennifer
Issue Date
2003
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Special education
Alternative Title
Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to examine talking distances amongst dyads, better known as two people engaged in conversation. Dyads included male only, female only dyads and male/female dyads in a special education setting. A total of thirty dyads were observed in the lunch area during lunchtime at a local San Diego high school. Results indicated that the male/female (28.8 inches) dyads communicated at the closest distance during the beginning and end of the conversation, female/female dyad group (32.4 inches) communicated at the second closest distance during the beginning and end of conversation, and the male/male dyads (38.4 inches) had the furthest amount of distance in dyads throughout the beginning and end of conversation. An ANOVA was used to test the significance of the distance between the dyads. Results show there was no significant difference in the amount of distance throughout all dyad groups F (2,27) = 2.44 for the beginning of observations. However, significance at the .05 level was noted at the end of the observations F (2,27) = 4.20. Finally, culture groups were examined for their talking distance. During the initial observation the mixed culture groups had the closest talking distance with (n=7) mean=30.86.During the 3 to 5 minute interval the Hispanic group had the closest with (n=9) mean 22.67 inches. However, during the 3 to 5 minute interval the distance was not the smallest with a mean = 34.67 inches. The African American group (n =10) had an initial mean distance = 32.40 inches. During the 3 to 5 minute interval mean = 24.60 inches. Lastly, the Caucasian group (n=4) had the greatest amount of distance in initial observation mean = 38.40 inches. The 3 to 5 minute interval mean = 31.50 inches.