In the background to their study, Perry et al. outlined how biological factors affect interpersonal distance (personal space) preferences. Outline how biological factors affect interpersonal distance (personal space) preferences.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] (a) Oxytocin (may) plays a role in personal space/empathy/social bonding/social salience etc.
2. [1] (a) Lesions in the amygdala appear to reduce the need for personal space.
3. [1] (a) Amygdala activity in healthy individuals is correlated with feeling uncomfortable at close distances.
4. [1] (a) Amygdala activation is affected by levels of oxytocin.
5. [1] (a) In some contexts, oxytocin promotes any aversion to risk/envy/lack of cooperation.
6. [1] (a) Oxytocin can also affect the personal space needed between self and someone perceived as attractive.
7. [1] (b) Alexandre: Written consent was taken from the participants (guideline).
8. [1] (b) Alexandre: They knew the study would be about personal space/knew they would have oxytocin (explanation).
9. [1] (b) Alexandre: The ethical committee at the Medical Centre/University approved the study as being ethical/required it (alternative explanation).
10. [1] (b) Alexandre: The task of watching someone get closer is minimising risk (guideline).
11. [1] (b) Alexandre: They could press the spacebar to stop the figure approaching more, protecting them from psychological stress (explanation).
12. [1] (b) Derek: In experiment 2 they were told they would be chatting with another participant/ a computer would calculate an average room for them and this might have been distressing (explanation).
13. [1] (b) Derek: This never happened, so the Ps were deceived (guideline).
14. [1] (b) Derek: The act of intruding into someone's personal space (even if it was an animation) can still be stressful/harmful (guideline).
15. [1] (b) Derek: There was also no way of knowing if any participant would react to oxytocin (explanation) so there was risk/potential physical harm involved (guideline).