Psychic distance is a perceived difference or distance between objects. The concept is used in aesthetics, international business and marketing, and computer science.
Psychic distance is made up of the Greek word "psychikos" (ψυχικός), an adjective referring to an individual's mind and soul,[1] and "distance", which implies differences between two subjects or objects. Some therefore argue that the concept exists in the mind's eye of the individual and it is their subjective perception that uniquely determines "psychic distance".[2] As a result, it is often viewed as a humanistic reflection of individual acuity and not a collective, organisational or societal perspective. However, in the international business context, psychic distance is frequently measured in terms of national averages[3] or in terms of the national-level differences that influence those perceptions.[4]
In his book, King refers to his preference to use the term "aesthetic distance" rather than psychic distance, as he feels the latter term has misleading connotations in current usage.[5]