Introduction
Population density refers to the measure of the number of people in a geographic area. It is represented as the number of people per square kilometer of an area (Steg, 2013). Deducing population density involves fractioning the number of people against the size of their habitat. Population density and noise have numerous and different effects on people across the world (Steg, 2013).
The effects vary from one individual to another. Population density and noise have a direct correlation. An increase in the population density of an area results in high levels of noise. Studies on human behavior show that people tend to feel close to each other at one point in their life.
However, people require space and time to be alone for various reasons (Lang, 2007). Individual freedom allows people to reflect on their identity and things they want to do with their lives. People relate closely to their immediate environment. These relations are highly influenced by the population density of an area. Studies have shown that an increase in population density compromises important elements of human life, such as territoriality, privacy, and personal space (Steg, 2013).
This report will analyze the concepts of population density and noise in terms of their effects on people’s territories, privacy, and personal space. The report will also discuss the way nature affects people living in urban environments. Finally, the report will examine two strategies than can reduce noise in the environment.
Discussion
Studies have shown that population density and noise have varied effects on people. Some of the most notable effects include anxiety, emotional strain, frustration, and lack of activity. People feel these effects due to infringement of their territories, privacy, and personal space (Lang, 2007).
The effects are more serious in crowded areas. Studies have also established that among all living organisms, human beings are very conscious of their personal space. Human beings have a tendency to create territories around each other (Lang, 2007). Understanding the conceptions of territoriality, solitude, and individual liberty is very crucial in establishing how population density influences them.
Territoriality
Territoriality refers to behavior by human beings that defines and defends their territories (Augustine, 2009). Territoriality involves the use of both verbal and non-verbal means of communication by people to mark their territories (Steg, 2013). Territoriality has three main divisions. First, there is the primary territory that represents areas and possessions that an individual enjoys exclusive privileges of access.
Second, there is the secondary territory that represents things that an individual shares with other people and lacks exclusivity (Steg, 2013). Third, there is the public territory that represents things that anyone can access. In public territory, people are allowed to encroach on the personal space of others (Lang, 2007). There is little room for privacy and personalization in the public territory.
Personal space
Personal space refers to a window in an individual’s life that cannot be accessed by others (Augustine, 2009). Personal space is private, and people should be allowed to personalize it. The concept of personal space relates closely to territoriality because personal space falls under the first category of territories known as the primary territory. An individual has full control of their personal space. Nobody can influence the terms of another individual’s personal space (Steg, 2013).
Privacy
Privacy refers to a situation in which one is secluded from the presence and view of others (Lang, 2007). It involves acts that allow an individual to be selective about the people that can access his or her personal space. A private individual often regulates the number of information people get regarding his or her personal space. They are also very cautious about the level of interaction with others.
However, recent technological developments, such as the emergence of social networking sites, have compromised the ideal value of privacy. Technology has improved how people share information with each other (Lang, 2007).
This has made it harder for individuals to keep others from accessing their personal information. It is important to note that privacy holds different values among individuals depending on factors such as religion, culture, personality, and environment, among others (Lang, 2007). Everyone has a right to enjoy their privacy and be allowed to do anything they want with it.
Territoriality, privacy, personal space and population density
The three crucial elements in the life of an individual are highly influenced by the number of people that live in an area — high population density results in crowding. Crowding has numerous psychological effects on individuals (Augustine, 2009). The effects include stress, discourtesy, and depression, among others. High population density compromises an individual’s ability to mark their territory and benefit from the personal space. Crowding influences interaction, human behavior, and the proximity of personal space (Steg, 2013).
Limited interaction occurs when people withdraw themselves from social groups due to stress and anxiety caused by high population density. In crowded areas, the individual territories shrink due to limited space. The result is lesser personal space and reduced privacy. However, people can enjoy bigger territories and personal space in crowded areas by changing their perceptions about space (Augustine, 2009).
Nature and people living in urban environments
Nature parks found to allow people to interrelate with the environment. This kind of interaction is common in urban environments and can have numerous effects on people living in such areas (Steg, 2013). One of the effects of the nature parks on individuals is that they help them to relax and learn about environmental restoration.
The nature parks encourage people to work towards improving the environment. Nature parks also provide people with a chance to embrace healthy living practices through numerous physical activities that happen there (Augustine, 2009). Studies have shown that nature parks also create a notion in people that they ought to make a formal meeting with their environment.
Noise and its effects on individuals
Noise refers to a disagreeable auditory experience that comes from irrelevant information (Augustine, 2009). Although the sound is an essential component of human life, studies have shown that people suffer from various effects of noise pollution. Noise causes people to feel unmotivated, aggravated, stressed, and a general feeling of inactivity.
Other major effects of noise pollution on people include impaired hearing, high blood pressure, irregular sleeping patterns, depression, and poor verbal ability among children (Augustine, 2009). However, people react to noise differently depending on the nature of their everyday environment. People living in rural areas are likely to feel stressed by high levels of noise every time they go to an urban center (Augustine, 2009).
Noise reduction strategies
There is a need to develop effective strategies that will help to reduce noise in the living environment. One strategy for reducing noise is added fabric on windows (Lang, 2007). The fabrics can act as noise mediators, thus reducing the amount of noise entering a house from the outside environment. Types of fabrics that can be used include curtains and blinds.
Mediation can also be achieved by using soundproof windows. The second strategy is using auditory masking that produces artificial sounds, which neutralizes dangerous noises generated in the external environment (Augustine, 2009). It is important to note that auditory masking machines only help an individual to reduce his or her awareness of noises from various sources.
Conclusion
Individuals are affected by numerous elements of the living environment, such as noise and population density. These elements have a direct impact on individuals in terms of compromising their ability to mark their territories, as well as enjoy their privacy and personal space. Highly populated areas affect an individual’s ability to enjoy quality life because of high levels of noise and limited space.
Some of the effects of population density and noise on individuals include stress, social withdrawal, depression, anxiety, violent behavior, and limited physical activity, among others. However, with effective planning, various strategies can be applied to reduce noise in the living environment. Crowding has numerous psychological effects on individuals.
The effects include stress, rudeness, and depression, among others. High population density compromises an individual’s ability to mark their territory and benefit from the personal space. Although the sound is an essential component of human life, studies have shown that people suffer from various effects of noise pollution. Noise causes people to feel unmotivated, aggravated, stressed, and a general feeling of inactivity.
References
Augustine, S. (2009). Place Advantage: Applied Psychology for Interior Architecture. New Jersey: Cengage Learning.
Lang, N. (2007). Invading the Seven Mountains with Intercession. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Steg, L. (2013). Environmental Psychology: An Introduction. California: California State University Press.