Close is clever! Spatial proximity shapes expertise attribution.

Individuals infer expertise from spatial proximity: the closer a person is to an object, the more expertise they are presumed to have. In four experiments (total N = 606) we investigated the relationship between spatial proximity and attributed domain-specific expertise, as well as its influence on persuasion. Study 1 indicated that participants attributed greater expertise to individuals depicted with (vs. without) domain-relevant objects. Study 2 showed that individuals positioned proximally (vs. distally) to objects were ascribed more expertise. Study 3 revealed a bidirectional relationship: participants placed domain-relevant objects closer to individuals described as experts in the corresponding domains. Study 4 demonstrated that spatial proximity also affects persuasion. A communicator positioned proximally (vs. distally) to the attitude object elicited stronger attitude change. Together, these findings provide first empirical evidence that spatial proximity influences perceived expertise, highlighting the relevance of spatial cues in person perception and persuasion.