Psychological distance refers to how we perceive temporal (time), spacial (physical space) and social (interpersonal) events in our lives.
Interestingly, researchers discovered this when asking people about “cloud computing.”
Social interactions, in particular on Facebook, Twitter and mobile phones, refer to the “physical bubble” around each of us causing discomfort when others get too close to us.
Wiki.Answers.com calls this disruptive situation “physical presence.” Wikipedia refers to it as “physical distance.”
This mental and physical “distance” is a major factor communication effectiveness. Speaking and listening clearly makes us feel more secure lowering psychological distance. Likewise, nervousness and poor communication rises as psychological distance rises.
Psychological Distance Impacts Cloud Computing Acceptance
A striking 50% of all Americans don’t know they’re using the “cloud” when using computers, smartphones and tablets, according to a recent Christian Science Monitor article. Using Mobile banking applications rises, for example, as psychological distance goes down.
When I conducted telephone communication workshops, I asked participants at the beginning of the workshop: “if you’re in San Francisco talking on the phone with someone in New York, what is the “distance” between you. Usually, people stared blankly at me wondering what trick question and answer I had in mind. I assured everyone it wasn’t a trick question and there was no “right” answer.
After some prodding, some of the participants responded . A few people mentioned physical distance. “If someone’s in San Francisco talking with another person in New York, the distance is 3,000 miles.” Others said “it depends on whether you know the person.” In other words, people have lower psychological distance when interacting with people they know.
As psychological distance drops, therefore, acceptance of cloud computing–and probably other technologies–rises