The Effects of Population Density and Noise

The Effects of Population Density and Noise

Introduction

Can you imagine an environment where there are no other people around? Where there is no noise to disturb your rest? No traffic jams or lines to wait in? Many people believe that there was such a world in the beginning of time. However, the reality that we live in today is much different than that image. Crowded streets, densely populated cities, the sound of honking horns, and the noise of construction seem to dominate much of the world around us. The effects of this phenomenon can vary. However, there is definitely some type of effect on the human beings involved in this style of living. Although there are still some rural areas that offer some open space, peace and quiet, and serenity, even these areas are growing in population which brings about the sounds that are associated with these changes. This paper will discuss the different aspects and effects of the growing population worldwide, the effects that noise has on individuals, and some of the strategies that have been designed to help reduce the noise in our homes and work environments.

Territoriality

The concept of territoriality relates to the amount of space that an individual, or group, uses and the message that their behavior conveys to others (Augustin, 2009). For example, when sitting down to lunch in a cafeteria, an individual may take every item off of the tray and place them in a pattern certain distances from one another. While another individual may take the same items and leave them on the tray while eating. The first individual sending the non-verbal communication that his/her territory is quite large in hopes of discouraging others from coming too close. While the second individual is indicating that he/she is less concerned about being close to, or joined by others by using less of the area around them. Each individual sets his/her own territorial boundaries, whether consciously or unconsciously, by the placement of personal items.

The concept of territoriality is not limited to the non-verbal communication of the individual. Groups often share space that is designed for the healthy interaction between the members of the group (Augustin, 2009). The type, size, and design of such space is important to the dynamic of the group. For instance, a family may have a small area (living room or family room) that is designed to bring the family closer together. While another family may have a large open space that allows for more members to join the group during interaction.

Personal Space

The territory that an individual chooses to occupy is often a sign of the limits to his/her personal space. Personal space is “the area surrounding each person, which when entered by strangers causes discomfort” (Steg, 2013,