SOCIAL DISTANCE AS BASE OF CHOICE OF INTERPERSONAL INTERACTION IN MODERN SOCIAL SPACE
The article deals with the issues of interpersonal interaction in modern social space. In the framework of the research, the boundaries of interpersonal interaction study were determined in the context of one of the directions of the sociological branch - sociology of communications. It specifies that the social distance is the basis for studying the problem of choice of interpersonal interaction in the modern social space. In this regard, the author analyzes the manifestations of various factors of social distance as an indicator of interpersonal interaction against the background of modern social reality through the example of various national youth groups. The results were obtained in the framework of the study of the effectiveness of the activities carried out in connection with the implementation of the state program "Strengthening the unity of the Russian nation and the ethno-cultural development of the peoples of Irkutsk region" commissioned by the Government of Irkutsk Region in November-December 2017. The research involved the method of personal interviewing (face-to-face) along with demonstration to the respondents of cards with options for answering the questions provided in the questionnaire. The interviewing was conducted in places of mass gathering of people. The picture of the manifestation of social distance in various youth groups in Irkutsk region has stable boundaries and is characterized by a low level of tension. Some increase in tension in social distance is observed with regard to the influx of migrants and expression of antipathy towards the closest neighbors - Chinese people.