Spatial empathy is the awareness that an individual has to the proximity, activities, and comfort of people surrounding them. It is closely related to the notion of personal space, the concept that individuals have ownership of their immediate surroundings; and for others to invade this space represents an infringement on their privacy.
The degree to which different cultures exhibit spatial empathy differs dramatically. Typically, many developed Western countries consider unnecessary closeness to or physical contact with strangers (such as in a train carriage or store) as taboo. However, many Asian and Eurasian cultures do not exhibit the same aversion.
Origins
Spatial empathy was first termed by expatriate workers in Hong Kong, themselves typically from countries such as Australia, United Kingdom, France and the United States. Part of the 'culture shock' of moving to this still very westernised city was the crowded walkways and public transport systems, where navigation through a crowd while avoiding physical contact often proved more difficult than in their home countries.
The term has since spread to expatriate workers in other countries, including Japan and China.
Other meaning
Spatial empathy has also been defined as awareness of the spatial condition that a remote person experiences. An "empathy vest" is a tool to achieve this.[1]
See also
References
- ^ Regine (October 13, 2005). "The Empathy Vest". We Make Money Not Art.