Space and Territoriality

Chapter Seven
Concept of Proxemics
(Use of Space)

Phenomenon of territoriality

Concept of personal space

Crowding and density

Phenomenon of Territoriality
Most research with different species
Territory serves several functions
To claim and defend territory
To ensure food supply and provide area for
mating

Humans
Different from animals
Creation of laws to protect physical space
Laws about false imprisonment

Claim territory in passive ways

Territory is semi-fixed or fixed space
Owners can come and go without giving up
claims to territory
Categories of Territory
Primary territory

Secondary territory

Public territory

Home territory

Interactional territory

Body territory
Primary Territory
Exclusive domain of owner

Used by owner virtually every day

Little doubt about claimant

Examples
Dorm room
Personal office
Dads chair
Moms study
Secondary Territory
Not central to daily functioning

Not under owners exclusive

control
Associated with particular person or
group frequently seen there
More vulnerable to invasion and
takeover

Examples
Popular meeting place
Favorite table or chair
Public Territory
Open to anyone

Seldom under constant control of

any one person or group

Subject to temporary ownership

Examples
Small portion of sand
on beach
Parking spaces
Theater seats
Bus stop shelters
Home Territory
Group of people colonize public
territory by taking over territory

Claimants have a sense of

freedom of behavior

Technically public, but functionally

secondary

Examples
Regular patrons of neighborhood bar
Gangs operating in particular areas
Interactional Territory
Where people congregate for
social exchange
There may be no visible boundary
markers

Example
Two people talking while standing in
public hallway
Other people steer clear to avoid
intruding
Body Territory
Also known as personal space
Portable
We carry it everywhere we go

Invisible bubble surrounding a

persons body
Most inviolate form of territory
Owners maintain strict control
Territorial Defense
Can involve two primary
methods
Preventive measures
Reaction

Preventive Methods
Markers
Labels
Offensive display
Tenure
Markers
Personal artifacts
Used to mark ownership
Used to establish boundaries

Object must be perceived as a marker

Must have symbolic meaning or intrinsic value
The more personal the marker, the less likely it is
to be moved

Example
Backpacks
Purses
Umbrellas
Labels

Signs used to give particular

messages to those approaching
an area

Example
Keep Out
Go Away
Attack Dog on Premises
Reserved
Offensive Displays
Combination of
Assertive postures
Stances
Stares
Gestures

Best defense is good offense

Owner looks aggressive to potential

encroachers

Drawbacks
Individual must be present in territory
Displays can backfire
Tenure

People who are associated with

particular territory
Over long period
Claim the territory
Reaction and Positive
Arousal
When encroachment takes
place
We become physiologically
aroused
Positive arousal
We reciprocate

Example
Man puts arm around girlfriend
Negative Encroachment
Violation
Unwarranted use of someones territory

Invasion
Invader crosses territorial
boundaries to take over

Contamination
Going into someones territory and leaving something
of yours in the territory

Blocking
A person is occupying territory you need
Encroachment Reactions
Withdrawal
Moving away from encroacher and letting encroacher
take over

Insulation
Building formidable boundaries to stop encroacher

Turf defense
Expel invader from territory
Closest to fight response

Linguistic collusion
Complex set of processes
Territorial integrity of group is reaffirmed
Intruder is labeled as outsider
Factors Influencing
Territorial Defense
Depends on
Who violated

Where violation occurred

Why they violated

Type of territory

If violation was accomplished

Length of encroachment

Whether more violations are expected

Density
High-density conditions
Territorial defense is less effective

Low-density conditions
Territorial defense is more effective

The more people there are, the

less space available per person
Personal Space

Invisible bubble that surrounds us

Expands or contracts depending on

Personality
Situation
Relationship

Portable

Socially learned

Choices of space distancing communicate

information about us
Interpersonal
Distance
Interpersonal relationship
Impacts distance we place
between us and others

Four zones
Intimate zone
Casual-personal zone
Socio-consultive zone
Public zone
Intimate and Casual-Personal Zone

Intimate
Innermost interaction region
From touching to 18 inches
Reserved for special people

Casual-Personal
From 8 inches to about 4 feet
Close friends and relatives
Longtime business associates
Socio-Consultive and Public Zone

Socio-Consultive
Most people expected to remain in this
zone
From 4 feet to 8 feet
Distance at which people conduct
business

Public
Outer region of interaction space bubble
8 feet and extends to outer limits of
interaction potential
Gender Differences

Major factor influencing personal

space

Females
Interact more closely
Allow others to approach from sides more
closely than from front

Males opposite
Interact further apart
Prefer front approach
Cultural Differences

Contributes to culture shock

when traveling abroad

Noncontact culture
American culture

Contact cultures
Latin America
Southern Europe
Arab countries
Age Differences

Children converse more closely

than adults

Younger children are space

invaders
Perceived positively

Older children who invade

Perceived negatively
Personality Differences
During conversation, extroverts require
less space than introverts

General anxiety predispositions require

greater distances

People with high need for affiliation likely

to move closer to partners

Less distance associated

Self-directed people
Low authoritarians
High self-concepts
Stigmas
Physical
Being in a wheelchair
Being blind
Having scarred body

Social
Reputation as ex-convict
Having an STD

People maintain greater distances

from people who have stigmas
Psychiatric and Deviant Groups

History of mental illness

Require more space

Distancing provides protection

Crowding and Density
Density number of people in a
space
High density
Creates involuntary
encroachment
Doesnt always make
people feel crowded

Crowding
Persons perception of spatial
restrictions
Discomfort with Crowding

Surveillance
Degree to which you sense strangers are
watching you

Behavioral constraint
Reduction in freedom of movement

Stimulus overload
Plethora of noises, sounds, sights, etc., that
bombard senses simultaneously
Individual unable to cope with myriad of
stimuli
May withdraw and find refuge in quieter places
Impact of High Density
Higher frequency of vandalism

Less willingness to help others

Antisocial behavior

Lower overall health and

wellbeing
Coping Behaviors for Crowding
Spend less time with each
other

Disregard low-priority
interactions

Shift responsibility for some

transactions to others

Block out others

Space and Territoriality
Review
This chapter covered
Phenomenon of Territoriality

Personal Space

Crowding and Density