Italians and Japanese Keep Different Distances

Researchers from Sapienza University of Rome, the Italian Institute of Technology, Ernst & Young, and Santa Lucia IRCCS Foundation studied how Italians and Japanese people position themselves relative to others, using virtual reality. The study involved 184 participants, 92 from Italy and 92 from Japan, who adjusted the distance of a virtual avatar until they felt comfortable.

The team presented participants with avatars appearing either Asian or Caucasian in a virtual café setting, measuring the preferred interpersonal distance. Results showed Japanese participants maintained an average distance of 1.6 meters, while Italians preferred 1.3 meters.

The study also revealed that avatars perceived as more attractive or trustworthy were positioned closer regardless of the participant’s nationality. Implicit biases also played a role, with participants showing a preference for greater distance from Asian-appearing avatars if they held stronger implicit biases toward Caucasian people.

Researchers hope to use virtual reality as a tool to study social behaviors in public settings. Understanding these cultural differences and biases is becoming increasingly important as virtual spaces become more integrated into daily life.