An examination of various cultural concepts of space and how differences among them affect modern society. Introducing the science of "proxemics," Hall demonstrates how man's use of space can affect personal business relations, cross-cultural exchanges, architecture, city planning, and urban renewal.
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An examination of various cultural concepts of space and how differences among them affect modern society. Introducing the science of "proxemics," Hall demonstrates how man's use of space can affect personal business relations, cross-cultural exchanges, architecture, city planning, and urban renewal.
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An examination of various cultural concepts of space and how differences among them affect modern society. Introducing the science of "proxemics," Hall demonstrates how man's use of space can affect personal business relations, cross-cultural exchanges, architecture, city planning, and urban renewal.
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56 of 64 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It had been required reading when I was in college, but I found it hadn't aged very well on a second reading. Hall tried to make his case against urban overcrowding, citing the "behavioral sinks" that were being created in the 1960's. He presented numerous examples, starting with mice, that showed the debilitating effects overcrowding has on animals, and applied this to the overpopulated urban environments.
More interesting was the study he did on the way persons from different culture perceive space, drawing from American, European, Arab and Asian societies. Even between Americans and English the differences were startling, but it seemed to me that he made too much of these differences, that affluence has as much a role in shaping the way people perceive space as does culture, which Hall did not touch upon.
Hall was pessimistic of the modern cities in America, noting that the race riots, in his mind, resulted from the cultural differences between Whites, Blacks and Hispanics. I think it had more to do with social inequalities than it did race, but Hall seemed convinced there are inherit differences between the races that could not be overcome, which I found to be too deterministic.
More interesting was the study he did on the way persons from different culture perceive space, drawing from American, European, Arab and Asian societies. Even between Americans and English the differences were startling, but it seemed to me that he made too much of these differences, that affluence has as much a role in shaping the way people perceive space as does culture, which Hall did not touch upon.
Hall was pessimistic of the modern cities in America, noting that the race riots, in his mind, resulted from the cultural differences between Whites, Blacks and Hispanics. I think it had more to do with social inequalities than it did race, but Hall seemed convinced there are inherit differences between the races that could not be overcome, which I found to be too deterministic.
22 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Randy Burge
Format:Paperback
Ed Hall is one of the preeminent cultural anthropologists of all times. His work, studies, and insights into the rich modern anthropology reflect a life long passion he developed as a teenager in the 1930's Southwest U.S. assigned to work on white-managed WPA crews alongside Navajo workers whose cultural bearings and world views were vastly different than his own people's views.
Hidden Dimensions examines the cultural contexts of space, how peoples define their personal and community spaces as part of their cultural norms.
How far apart or close do people of a similar culture feel comfortable standing or sitting next to one another and in what circumstances? When do you feel someone is "in your space"? This personal comfort zone differs culture to culture. Yours may be different than mine. Hall develops these "proxemics" (proximity) in this book by observing and visiting with peoples from around the globe, and shares the wisdom gained with you so that you might expand your own world views and spatial orientations when mixing with foreign cultures to your own.
Well worth the sheckles to add this great work to your life's library. Collect all of Hall's works.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Rana Sinha
Format:Paperback
A captivating scholarly writing on how human beings react to and make use of spatial distance from a physical and psychological viewpoint, i.e.. the study of Proxemics. The book also deals with cultural differences in the use of space. Hall examines the French, German, English, Japanese, and Arab world comparing each with the American context and with one another. The concluding chapters look at the world of 1950's and 1960's and seek to explain the ways in which we must design our cities to reflect proxemics values.
Many readers would immediately disagree with Hall's claims that there are inherent differences between the races that could not be overcome but Hall is rather persuasive. Though this is an old classic it is not outdated. This book is very different from "Management Science" books, as it requires broader general cultural knowledge from the reader by venturing into the domains of art, classical history and psychology. Students of international management and cross cultural studies should read this book.
Many readers would immediately disagree with Hall's claims that there are inherent differences between the races that could not be overcome but Hall is rather persuasive. Though this is an old classic it is not outdated. This book is very different from "Management Science" books, as it requires broader general cultural knowledge from the reader by venturing into the domains of art, classical history and psychology. Students of international management and cross cultural studies should read this book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
sets me free
Anthropology on an ergonomic base: allows survival behavior in crowded places; key concept for human factors studies. Pictures are global examples.
Published 28 days ago by Eloy DIAZ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
Great book to understand the invisible bubble of space so important when creating spaces and interactions through architecture. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Fernanda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Space and our place in it
This is a fascinating book which examines concepts such as territoriality, smell, touch, thermal heat in the context of space and how different cultures organize and interact with... Read more
Published on September 12, 2009 by Taylor Ellwood
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just as good the second time
I read this book in the 70's and loved it. It was eye-opening, and I was astounded by his level of perception. Read more
Published on January 9, 2007 by LovesLaughing
4.0 out of 5 stars
All things are revealed within
This book serves as an introduction to the field of proxemics. Hall exams how people interact and how they live together. Read more
Published on October 10, 2005 by Tom Reynolds
5.0 out of 5 stars
Down the drain
Edward T. Hall's The Hidden Dimension, perhaps the scariest book (even scarier than 1984) I ever read. Read more
Published on May 4, 2003 by ralphus
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best of the Best
A fabulous writing on how human beings react to and make use of spacial distance from a physical and psychological viewpoint, i.e.. the study of proxemics. Read more
Published on August 22, 2002 by Shock Writer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lesser Magic Primer
An excellent work on Lesser Magic, for those able to extract the principles.
Published on April 2, 2000 by Kelly Parker
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 49
books:
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100
books
cite this book:
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- Language, Thought, and Reality: Selected Writings of Benjamin Lee Whorf by Benjamin Lee Whorf in Front Matter, page 91, and Back Matter
- The Perception of the Visual World by James Jerome Gibson on page 66, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Man Meets Dog (Routledge Classics) by Konrad Lorenz on page 30, and Back Matter
- The Way of All Flesh (Modern Library Classics) by Samuel Butler on page 96, and Back Matter
- Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata in Front Matter, and Back Matter
See all 49 books this book cites
- Social Mindscapes: An Invitation to Cognitive Sociology by Eviatar Zerubavel on 5 pages
- Beyond Culture by Edward T. Hall on 4 pages
- Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally, Second Edition by David J. Hesselgrave on page 396, page 424, and Back Matter
- The Antique Drums of War (Williams-Ford Texas A&M University Military History Series) by James H. McRandle in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Managing Diversity in Health Care: Proven Tools and Activities for Leaders and Trainers by Lee Gardenswartz on page 42, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 100 books citing this book
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