The effects of seating arrangement, activity, and sex differences were examined in six person groups required to wait under high density conditions. Groups in the circle arrangement tended to rate the room more confining than those in the L-shape arrangement. Predicted arrangement x sex composition interactions were supported by differences in self and room ratings. The clearest contrast appeared in the positive reactions to the more intimate, circle arrangement by females waiting with other females compared to the more negative reactions to the circle arrangement by females in the mixed sex groups. The relevance of these results were discussed in terms of an intimacy violation model of crowding.
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