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The Effects of Population Density and Noise Paper

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Environmental Psychology
Week 3: Individual Assignment
The Effects of Population Density and Noise Paper

“A man's home is his castle” always has been an English common law for centuries, and is even a saying that is very familiar among many individuals within today’s society. In addition, individuals within today’s society have created numerous ways of defending what they may consider to be their own land, turf, or spread. This allows others to understand the difference or features conscientiously labeled among territory of an individual, which is considered private property and opened territory meant to be shared by a group that is public property. This paper will attempt to define and explain the concepts of territorial, privacy, and personal space. Even though society views these terms as somewhat similar to each other, they are very distinct in their own respected way. Territoriality is defined as a “persistent attachment to a specific territory: the pattern of behavior associated with the defense of a territory” (Merriam-Webster, 2011). This basically means that territoriality is viewed as a behavior in which a species lays claim to an area and shields it against members of its own species.

Various key functions are expressed in territoriality, for instance it confirms the procreation of the species by regulating density as well as providing an outline in how things are simply done. Proper spacing is vital because it protects the species against over-exploitation of that part of the environment on which the species are dependent upon to maintain life. Territoriality can be viewed as a primary expression of social power because it directs the behavior and actions of the group while holding them collectively. This keeps the group within close communication in order to alert the group of a food source or potential enemy so these factors can be recognized by all. In addition, species with a territory of their own can develop responses to terrain features that offer the species an advantage to hide or retaliate against a rival. This also determines or supports dominance in selective breeding because the weaker species are less apt to establish territories or provide a home base that is safe for procreation.

Privacy is defined as “the quality or state of being apart from company or observation: seclusion: freedom from unauthorized intrusion” (Merriam-Webster, 2011). Privacy is a personal subjective condition, yet privacy can simply be defined as the right to be left alone and is a right that is valued by individuals who believe they are free. Keeping in mind that an individual cannot decide for another what his or her sense of privacy should be because privacy is held up as one of the highest values that is perceived in many ways. The central value or concept of privacy is to protect individuals from being misunderstood as well as judged out of context. Furthermore, privacy is also a right that allows individuals to make personal decisions regarding their own personal matters as well as a right to lead their lives in a way that is somewhat isolated from public judgment. Without privacy, it would mean that individuals would be extremely at risk to the control of others within society. In addition individuals would lose their freedom, and this would lead to self-consciousness and apprehension. This may also influence individuals to be less spontaneous and be more prone to be manipulated.

Personal space is defined as “the area surrounding an individual that is perceived as private by the individual, who may regard a movement into the space by another person as intrusive. Personal space boundaries vary somewhat in different cultures, but in general they are regarded as a distance of about 3 feet around the individual” (Medical, 2011). Individuals have their own perspective of what personal space means and looks like to them. This is because personal space is just another form of territory to many individuals. Therefore there are factors that are involved in determining the amount of personal space another individual is allowed to have when entering the space of another individual. Factors like relationship, emotions, beliefs, and culture plays a role in determining personal space for most individuals. The reason for determining the range that other individuals are able approach another is simply to obtain a certain level of comfort for the individual interacting with others in society in a positive and healthy manner.

In urban areas zoos, parks, gardens, and various recreational venues like these provide individuals who live or work in an urban area with the experience of space and nature. In addition, many health research suggest “that escalating stress levels are a direct result of many individuals’ imbalance with nature and that parks, zoos, gardens, and various recreational venues like these help realign these individuals’ bio-ecological factors while positively influencing a healthy lifestyle mentally” (Air, 2011) . Furthermore, these places not only offer refuge for individuals experiencing crowding in an urban area but also provide a different view of the individuals’ surroundings as well as calming the mind, body, and spirit. In addition, some studies showed that a well maintained green space within communities encourages individuals to leave out of their homes, encourages people to congregate within these areas, increasing community integration, and social interaction as well as community support, decrease in crime, reduced aggression, and a decline in domestic violence among individuals in the community.

The concepts of territoriality, privacy, and personal space have become increasingly important as populations become denser because there has been little to no form of privacy or territorial for individuals who are part of a crowded society. This has also caused many individuals to become more diligent and active in maintaining or obtaining these concepts. Crowding does have a harsh impression on both the human body and mind. Existing to reside in urban areas along with being relentlessly under pressure with human contact is inclined to manipulate these individuals to have more stress and be on the brink of losing it all physically and mentally. Furthermore, this tension that is placed on these individuals affects the body chemistry and hormones which in turn affects the mind. Territorial and privacy come into play because these are the factors used to escape or to keep this chaotic lifestyle and stress at bay, meaning that there is a time and place for self within the individuals’ private and personal domain away from the crowded and busy world. For others who do not have the luxury to get away in this manner, they have developed a space within their self to obtain some for of privacy.

However, crowding does not stop there because overcrowding has also contributed to noise pollution. Noise pollution is defined by some as being unwanted and disturbing sounds. However, noise varies between individuals and not all individuals agree on what is labeled as being noise. For instance some individuals perceive music blaring out of a radio as being noise, yet others may simply perceive this as being relaxing or entertaining. Even with these differences they both share the same idea that with more people comes more noise and that it amplifies an individual’s awareness of the lack of personal space, privacy, and territory in a crowded society.

This noise could be from the vehicles used to commute as well as many other ways that people commute like planes, trains, subways, and boats. Construction sites or the use of heavy machinery along with the sound of traffic and the herds of people on top of each other walking to and from on the sidewalk contributes to this as well. These make a form of noise that is very irritating to some and affects the quality of life among millions of individuals in societies around the world. In addition, studies have revealed that there is a connection between noise and the individual’s health. “Noise causes stress related illnesses, high blood pressure, speech interference, hearing loss, sleep disruption, and lost productivity” (Air, 2011). Given the affect of noise, there are steps individuals can take to shield themselves from the damaging effects of noise pollution. This can be done by individuals practicing using protection such as ear plugs or ear muffs in areas that has a slightly higher noise level. “Raising awareness and advocating or supporting laws and governmental efforts to control noise pollution are effective ideas to battle noise pollution” (Quantitative, 2011) as well.

In conclusion, this paper has illustrated and defines the importance and concepts of territorial, privacy, and personal space. Furthermore, the paper continues with the issues of how overpopulation can affect territorial, privacy, and personal space. This led to the issue of noise pollution and how it is defined differently among people in society as well as the health risks that it is associated with. As the population gets bigger, so does the noise that brings a sense of awareness to others within society of how crowded the world actually is.

References:

Air and Radiation, (2011). Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov

Medical Dictionary, (2011). Retrieved from http://medical dictionary.thefreedictionary.com

Merriam-Webster Dictionary, (2011). Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com

Quantitative Skills in Geosciences, (2011). Retrieved from http://serc.carleton.edu

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