An area around an individual where others are expected not to intrude is known as what?

The correct response is "personal space," which refers to the physical area surrounding an individual that they consider as their own. This concept is grounded in social psychology and interpersonal communication, where each person has a preferred zone around them that they expect others to respect. Personal space varies depending on cultural context, social situations, and individual comfort levels. It plays a vital role in making someone feel safe, comfortable, and secure in social interactions. If someone invades this space, it can lead to feelings of discomfort or anxiety.

The other options, while related to spatial relationships, do not capture the full essence of this particular concept. For instance, "personal distance" can describe varying degrees of distance people maintain from each other, but it lacks the specificity of individual boundaries inherent in personal space. "Private zone" might suggest an area for privacy but doesn’t encompass the physicality of spatial boundaries. "Intimate area" often refers to a close range that is typically reserved for close relationships and is just one aspect of personal space, rather than the broader definition of the concept as a whole.