In Study 1, classroom seating arrangements were determined by teachers. None of the teachers
explicitly mentioned that the seating arrangements were based on specific interpersonal relationships. Thus, even though children were not intentionally placed in certain positions, in Study 1
smaller interpersonal distance in the classroom was associated with more positive perceptions of peer
status. This is in line with intergroup contact theory and the theory of mere exposure, which state that
increased exposure and contact with others resulting from proximity can lead to positive affect.
However, in his theory of proxemics, Hall (1966) argued that the physical environment is not only
a determinant of behavior and affect but also a consequence. Hall also argued that people actively
use their personal space to regulate their social interactions and peer relationships. He stated that people
with more intimate bonds place themselves closer together. From this perspective, the question
arises whether children themselves would use classroom seating to express their social interactions
and relationships with peers. In other words, if children could arrange their classroom, would they
place themselves closer to classmates they like or perceive as popular?