Present research explored whether crowding effects are caused by subjects or by those with whom they are crowded. In one experiment, 45 male, female, or mixed-sex pairs of subjects discussed a legal case, each pair seated first five feet apart and then almost touching. All subjects reacted more negatively when crowded with males than with females. In a second experiment 15 male and 15 female subjects gave creative uses for objects while seated close to or far from a mixed-sex pair of confederates. Subjects shifted eye contact from male to female when close, again regardless of their own sex. Findings suggest that in crowding, sex of partner may be more important than sex of self. (Author)