Final answer:
Proxemics is the study of how close individuals stand to one another, affected by cultural background and personal preferences, forming part of nonverbal communication and social behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of how close we stand to one another is called proxemics, which is part of the broader field of nonverbal communication and social behavior. Proxemics investigates interpersonal space and various factors that influence our physical distance from each other in social, business, and personal contexts. This concept can be applied to improve communication skills and to understand the formation and maintenance of relationships.
Proxemics is also influenced by an individual's cultural background and impacts personal space and comfort zones. People's preferences for personal space can dictate how they interact and form perceptions of others based on physical proximity in diverse social settings such as the workplace. The study of proxemics is thereby pertinent when considering how people form relationships, choose with whom to associate, and convey social signals through spacial dynamics.