Territoriality Is a Basic Concept - Research Paper Example

Territoriality Introduction Territoriality was coined to try and explain the spatial behavior that animals reflect but was found to be applicable in the human context as well. People have a dire need to regulate the distance between each other at all times; this is basically the concept of territoriality. Territoriality is thus a basic concept wherein animals and human beings claim a given area and as a result guard it from other members of their very own species; the need to own a certain geographical location (Gutman 65). Territoriality is of the essence as it sort of creates a framework with regards to space; it clearly defines where things are done for instance places to learn, places to play and even places to hide. With territoriality comes the sense of a safe-home basis wherein there is protection from enemies among humans and protection from predators among animals; in actual fact there is also protection from exploitation where one’s territory is free from invaders with ulterior motives. Space nonetheless goes beyond the physical and tangible social environs, it is said to be connected to behavior. Most times than not as humans, we often create surroundings and environments that are aimed at suiting our respective wants and needs; this eventually does have an impact on how we end up behaving. Additionally, there is often a direct relationship between ownership of space or a definite territory with power; such that power is expressed through the monopolization of space wherein some families have acres and acres of land in a prime area whereas the less fortunate or powerful are dispensed to adverse and hostile environments. Alongside monopolization is ownership of space which reflects power through the setting of boundaries that then decide who is allowed in and who is not. Boundaries irrespective of their importance do create a sense of exclusion which is a bit risky as it breeds conflict between the included and the excluded. There are various forms of human territories in sociology; body territory, home territory, public and interactional territory. In this paper, however there will be a discussion on the observations made from the social interactions that go on in the interactional territory as well as in the body territory. Interactional Territory It refers to any area or piece of space in which a social gathering may convene and take place; in every given interaction there is often some sort of boundary in place, though not too obvious nor officially set from the beginning to the end. For instance, in a party there are certain boundaries that ought to be observed, though not out rightly drawn from the people. For example, the prohibition of playing loud music could be another that ought to be kept in perspective as the interaction continues. All the same, interactional territories bear with them the characteristics of mobility and fragility. With mobility in mind; it is possible for the interactional territory to remain in one place, stroll along or better still move in a periodic or erratic manner. This is to say that the group of people could decide to take a slight break and then embark on the interaction at a later date or better still interact inconsistently on irregular dates. The mobility is also applicable to the setting and venue so long as the items essential for the interaction are movable. For instance, whereas horse riders may not interact without their horses; chess players may meet at a random place since the board is not much of a load. With reference to being fragile, this territory does not highly advocate for the joining of new members or upstarts; this is because newcomers or members, often bring some sort of regression into the interactional territory as a need to re-start the group is created, the newcomer could also push for personal interests to be met at the expense of the rest or worse still this newcomer could create a situation that forces the entire group to break up. Upstarts, on the other hand, are people who often have acquired wealth or riches that they cannot account for and are often from a different origin. They are completely never considered as suitable candidates for the interactional group as they pose as great threats to group boundaries and exclusiveness. Body Territory ` This territory is one that is occupied by the physical structure of a person’s actual body; the anatomical space of the body as it is.Bodies are of different shapes and sizes thus they occupy diverse spaces; this space occupied by a body is considered one of the most personal spaces ever. Of all the existing territories the body, one is the most private and delicate ever. The violation of this territory is perceived to be a violation of the person that is why very many restrictions are placed over the body. For instance, it is rare for a young lady to share a hug with a complete stranger and it would be rude for a stranger to force a hug on her as this would be viewed as a total violation of body territory. Consent on who gets to reach or interact with the body territory lies with the owner of the body; for this reason sexual abuse is considered a hideous crime across the world. Restrictions on the body however vary across social territories with some being extremely strict and others somewhat lenient (Gutman 70). Nonetheless body space is prone to creative innovations and destruction; realistically, a person’s body could be scarred or burned or worse still have one of its parts amputated without the body entirely losing its functionality. Moreover, an individual could make a sound choice to have a tattoo placed on his/her body voluntarily in memory of someone or a place. Comparative Situations Given the description and characteristics of the two territories; the paper intends to analyze them in light of the following situations: The interactional territory will be represented by a sociology class discussion group of three members while the body territory will be represented by a 24 year old female. My area of research will be in a university called City State University for the group discussion and in a train station for the 24 year old female called Lillian. In research, observation is crucial and is in a real sense the determinant of the results; I thus plan on applying the participant observation method. This is to ensure that I am able to get an inside and hands-on kind of information. More so I want to make observations on the ground right where the actual behavior will be taking place by playing the actual role of the stranger with Lillian and newcomer with the sociology discussion group. Thus, this only means that I will gather evidence or rather collect data with the help of Lillian as well as the group discussion in the university by interviewing them after interacting with them. This observation method will take place only once within the first contact with both parties. The data I collect will be unstructured thus will be stored in my notebook and later on typed out and put in a safe file somewhere. As I interact with both parties I will completely assume the role of a newcomer intending to join the group and a stranger intending to know Lillian better. Therefore, I will not disclose to the subjects that my intentions are in line with making observations on them. Observations made The transforming devices people use to privatize Public Space I approached Lillian and greeted her at the train station on Wednesday morning as she eagerly waited to board the train. Her facial expression totally reflected the uncertainty of whether to respond or not; when I realized she would not greet me back I moved way closer making sure to make contact. I realized how fast she was to move away from me asking that I give her some space. I mean, it was a train station a crowded place where was I to get the space form; nonetheless she moved far away, pushing through people until she had probably the ample space she needed for herself. I went to the City State University Library, which is open to the public and purposely sat at the table where the sociology discussion group often prefers to sit, their books were on the table to show it was taken; it had become like their table. Upon arrival, they appeared intensely devastated and annoyed at me sitting there requesting me to kindly excuse them but I completely refused. The defensive and Protective Mechanisms people employ when confronted by an Encroachment Territorial encroachment happens in three ways: invasion, violation and contamination and reactions to it are also in three dimensions: turf defense, linguistic collusion and insulation (Gutman 72).In Lillian’s case, when she moved far off I further made my way through to stand beside her again; this time round I touched her hand as if to hold it and she almost lost her mind, she went screaming and in angry tone asked me not to touch her it was her body. She drew attention to me form the crowd thus I walked away to save my life lest something happened. In this case I was contaminating her body territory through touch which was too much forcing her to react in a turf defense by contorting her face as if disgusted. In the Library, I made known to the discussion group that I was interested in joining their group; they could not believe it. In a harsh tone I was told they do not recruit but I kept insisting contributing to their discussion. In no time they immediately switched to their native languageso that I could be blocked, I did not give up. They got so angry some started to pull their hair however the bold one stood up and brought the library attendant who chased me out of the Library for being a nuisance; they had reacted in two ways; linguistic collusion and defense turf to my violation of their interactional territory. Markers that try to prevent encroachment Lillian did not show or present any marker whatsoever in an attempt to prevent encroachment.However, In the case of the discussion group, they had left their books on the table which was a direct marker that they would be back sooner or later. However, it can be disregarded. Lyman and Scotts Theory on Territoriality In the interactional territory the group seemed more interested in space as they had me kicked out eventually other than moving probably to a different table. They somewhat had intimacy and felt they had control over the area in this case the sitting position. Lillian was more vulnerable in terms of controlling space as firstly it was a public territory a place where everybody has access to; thus it was hard for her to easily speak out in the first instance that I was in violation of her body territory as the train station was a bit crowded; with everyone having the right to be there. In the Library, the discussion group was a bit more aggressive as they had me kicked out regardless of showing interest to join them; this is because I had seriously violated their interaction relentlessly. The Group did not allow me to join the group being a temporary visa as they were not going to give me equal rights to the group in future. In both data sites, they all draw the attention of others; I thus agree that a third neutral party is more effective in defending a territory. I realize that if space is not controlled that an individual can almost become frustrated and desperate; thus yes, it comes out as a serious basic need. Knowing the space is yours in your absence or presence is satisfying.In everyday interactions, it is of essence to give attention to people’s space; avoid being ignorant to space or worse still to encroach it. In conclusion, territories should always be perceived as areas with invisible boundaries surrounding a home, public facilities, a body and an interactional group; into which intruders are not allowed in. Territories are areas that everyone of us values, though in differing magnitudes; therefore even territory markers need to be respected at all costs for example books on a table, warnings and signs, fences among others that reflect ownership of territory. Work Cited Gutman, Robert, and Nathan Glazer. People and Buildings. New Brunswick [N.J.: Transaction Publishers, 2009. Internet resource. Read More