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Proxemics is the study of how man structures microspace, how lie relates physically to other persons with wkom he is interacting, and what is communicated by these physical relationships. laward Hall, who coined the term "proxemics" and dewised a system oj notation for recording proxemic behavior, reports many impressionislic observations on Arab and American proxemic dijerences. To test these hypotheses systematually, 32 Arab and American college students were observed under controlled conditions and their pronemic behavior recorded. The Arabs and Americans were found to dijer significantly in proxemic behavior, the Arabs interacting with each olher closer and more directly than Americans, as hypo& esized.DU'ARD T. HALL, innovator of the term, defines proxemics as "the E study of how man unconsciously structures microspace-the distance between men in the conduct of daily transactions, the organization of space in his houses and buildings, and ultimately the layout of his towns'' (1963: 1003).I n an article published in 1955, Hall illustrated the difficulties that arise when two systems of proxemic behavior clash. He later presented some of the dynamic aspects of man's structuring of space, linking it with the concept of territoriality (1959: 146-164). The paper in which Hall (1963) coined the term "proxemics" stated further theoretical implications of the study of the structuring of space and provided a system for its notation.I n the works cited above, Hall made the point that members of different cultures, when interacting with each other, cannot be relied upon to attach the same meaning to the same elements of proxemic behavior. The examples he most frequently referred to were the differences between Arabs and Americans. I n none of these works, however, did Hall present or mention empirical data used in the measurement of these differences2Our objectives in pursuing this problem further were threefold: (1) to record empirical data quantifying Arab and American proxemic behavior; (2) to test pragmatically Hall's system for the notation of proxemic behavior to try to uncover any weaknesses or ambiguities inherent in the system; and (3) to test the validity of Hall's impressionistic observations on Arab and American differences. HYPOTHESESOn the basis of Hall's observations, a hypothesis can be made not only that Arabs and Americans differ in proxemic behavior, but about the direction of this difference as well. Hall's descriptive material (1959, 1963) cites many instances of Arab-American differences. The following is a good example (1 963 : 1005) : 971

Gross ellrnic diJere)tces in excessive drinking arid other Jorrtts ojsocial-problem behavior among Indians, Spanish-A mericans, and Anglo-A m&ans living if$ a single Southwestern community, as well as a itride range of willrin-group diJerences i n such behavior, serve as the confronting problem. A random sample OJ all adults in the community was interviewed, using a variety of structured and semistructured procedures.The differential effects of acculturation and economic access on socid and psychological pressures for and controls against ensaging in deviant behavior among the two minority groups are analyzed for their explanatwy power. A n initial paradox involving differences in Spanish and Indian response to amdturation is resolsed, and implications of the resultsfor general acculturation theory are then dra-m. LMOST everyone working with AmericanA Indians living in and around their various reservations is confronted by acute displays of hostility, apathy, violence, and despair. These symptoms of social and psychic disorganization are epitomized by the high rates of heavy drinking and drunkenness that typically accompany them. The social costs of such disorganization are high (Stewart 1964) ; the psychic costs to the Indians themselves are immeasurable?That such social and psychological disorganization inevitably accompanies rapid culture change is a widespread notion within the field of anthropology, now being qualified by the accumulating impact of a series 01 studies with contrary conclusions. From this dialogue has emerged a far more interesting research question: under what conditioizs is acculluration accompanied by symnptonis o/ social and psychological disorganizatiorc, and under what conditions is i t not? As data accumulate on this issue, not only will our theoretical understanding of the acculturation process grow, but also the applied worker will learn what variables in the lives of a group undergoing acculturative change should be the most strategic focus of his attention if the pressures of such change are to be ameliorated. It is hoped that this paper may make a contribution to both of these ends. BACKGROUND: DRINKING AND DEVIANCE

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