Territoriality

Territoriality is a term associated with nonverbal communication that refers to how people use space to communicate ownership or occupancy of areas and possessions. The concept of territoriality can also be applied to animal behavior and biology, where it refers to the ways in which an organism or a population of organisms uses space.

Definition[edit | edit source]

Territoriality can be defined as a behavioral pattern in animals consisting of the occupation and defense of a territory. A territory is a fixed area that an individual or group of individuals defends and from which other members of the same species are usually excluded.

In Animals[edit | edit source]

In animals, territoriality is a strategy for survival and reproduction. It involves behaviors that are intended to establish and defend a territory, which is an area that an animal or group of animals occupies and defends against others of the same species and sometimes other species. Territories can be used for a variety of purposes, such as feeding, mating, and rearing young.

In Humans[edit | edit source]

In humans, territoriality can be seen in personal space, property, and even in larger scales such as borders between countries. Personal space can be defined as an area with invisible boundaries surrounding a person's body into which intruders may not come. Violations of personal space often lead to discomfort, anger, or anxiety on the part of the person whose space has been invaded.

References[edit | edit source]

Territoriality Resources
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