Hey! That's my space! And I don't mean the Internet site. We often consider a certain chair or table or even a room "ours" just because we use it a lot or because we used it before anyone else do
es. It's human nature to stake out territory for ourselves where we can feel comfortable and somewhat at home. I often discussed this common behavior when I taught Nonverbal Communication at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. I even saw it demonstrated in my classes each semester. Within a day or two of the beginning of the semester each student had seemingly settled into a particular desk. If one of them were to sit in a different desk, it would have caused confusion and possibly resentment from their classmates. Such behavior is a common manifestation of what researchers call territoriality. In fact, my students' territoriality about their desks made it easier for me to remember who they were: John was in the first desk in the row by the window, Mary was in the last seat by the wall, etc.
es. It's human nature to stake out territory for ourselves where we can feel comfortable and somewhat at home. I often discussed this common behavior when I taught Nonverbal Communication at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. I even saw it demonstrated in my classes each semester. Within a day or two of the beginning of the semester each student had seemingly settled into a particular desk. If one of them were to sit in a different desk, it would have caused confusion and possibly resentment from their classmates. Such behavior is a common manifestation of what researchers call territoriality. In fact, my students' territoriality about their desks made it easier for me to remember who they were: John was in the first desk in the row by the window, Mary was in the last seat by the wall, etc. Territoriality refers to the common practice where we tend to assume the right to space
just because we occupy it on a regular basis. (Territoriality differs from the concept of personal space, which is an imaginary bubble that follows a person around and determines how close or how far that individual will stand when interacting with others). People may take territorial rights over tables, chairs, or even parts of a room. One common territory for many individuals is their car. Groups may claim territoriality over larger spaces. For example, group territoriality can be seen when gangs take over entire neighborhoods. It can also be seen in the behavior of ethnic groups that settle in certain parts of a city.
just because we occupy it on a regular basis. (Territoriality differs from the concept of personal space, which is an imaginary bubble that follows a person around and determines how close or how far that individual will stand when interacting with others). People may take territorial rights over tables, chairs, or even parts of a room. One common territory for many individuals is their car. Groups may claim territoriality over larger spaces. For example, group territoriality can be seen when gangs take over entire neighborhoods. It can also be seen in the behavior of ethnic groups that settle in certain parts of a city. How do you show your territoriality? Do you have a territory that you feel is yours--but really isn't?
(photo from http://www.mcsun.org/?p=937 and http://marieceleste.wordpress.com)
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4 comments:
I used to see this all the time when I was working and taking the Metra. It seemed like the same people were sitting in the same train car, in the same seat every day. Sometimes there would be new riders that would sit in those quasi-reserved seats and the regular riders would glare at them.
Daisy's "mom" here:
I have to admit that in my yoga classes, I always put my mat on the exact same spot. If I have to move somewhere else, I feel discombobulated!
I've seen it too! I don't generally have "my particular spot" except in general - preferring to sit up front, middle or in back depending on the place and sometimes my mood. I really experienced this most strongly in college because of proximity to professor and blackboard.
Yes! The parking spot outside my door is MINE (even though it's on a city street and anyone can park there) I get so irritated when someone else parks there. My kids have even picked up on this. When we turn the corner and someone else is there I always hear, "Look mom, someones in your spot."
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