It's a small world after all: Mapping social space

This study surveyed over 500 persons. It examined whether the physical distance dimension of our social world or "social space" is still a force in shaping the interaction between people when modern transportation and communication makes interaction with distant others more feasible. Using both oral, and mass interviews, participants were asked to describe the character, frequency of contact, importance, and distance of their contacts within a 24-hour period. As predicted by Latane's (1981) social impact theory, the bulk of the relationships occurred at close distances. Over two-thirds of the relationships occurred at distances of 10 niles or less. Relationship type affected the distance, frequency of contact, and importance of relationships significantly. "Partners" had higher frequencies of contact and shorter reported distance than either relatives or friends. A positive relationship between importance and distance seems to indicate that some far contacts can be maintained.