Territoriality in Public Spaces

Territoriality in Public Spaces Would you linger in an area, such as a telephone box or car parking space, if somebody was waiting to use it? Many people would like to think that they would leave the area quickly, but research shows that in some cases territorial behaviour can occur in a public place. Territorial behaviour often occurs in areas of private ownership, such as a person's home. Ruback and Barash (1977) describe the cost-benefit analysis …

…a busy shopping centre car park. The drivers were each timed from the moment they opened their car door to the time they left the parking space. They also recorded whether or not another driver was waiting for that particular space. Ruback and Juieng reported that when there was another car waiting for the space drivers took significantly longer to leave. References Flanagan, C. (1994). Letts Educational: A Level Psychology Study Guide. Walsall: WM Print Ltd