Running head: POPULATION DENSITY AND NOISE

Population Density and Noise Student PSY 460/ Environmental Psychology Date Instructor

POPULATION DENSITY AND NOISE

Population Density and Noise Population density and noise can have negative effects on human beings and their environment. Different types of noise pollution can have an effect on human behavior in different ways. Some of the ways that environmental pollution can be negative is when too much noise causes disruption in productivity in the work and living environment (Steg, 2013). The population in larger cities is constantly on the rise. The amount of too many human beings can have a negative effect on general environment. Too many human beings in one general area can also have an effect on human beings and their sense of personal space (Eriksson & Zehaie, 2005). Personal space is defined as within ones close proximity of person and shelter. Therefore, this paper discusses the effects of human density, population, and methods to reduce general noise pollution in the work and living environment. Human territoriality is a behavior that is common as well as one of the most studied behaviors. Human territoriality is defined as the attempt of control of another persons beliefs, influences, and actions (Sack, 1983). According to Sack (1983), territoriality can also be defines as the attempt to control and entire geographical areas to the likings of specific individuals or groups. In some cases, human territoriality cannot be exclusive to one geographical area due to different perspectives of territoriality. There are times when human territoriality can come in a sense of politics. Some groups or large communities are regularly involved in local and national politics. Thus, many people feel inclined to follow the politics of their family members or neighbors. This is one way that territoriality is prevalent and influences people of the same communities (Sack, 1983). Territoriality can also come in different forms. There are social forms and physical forms. An example of territoriality in social form can be when a mother is physically protecting her

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child from any harm, by holding or keeping their child away from danger. There is also a need for physical space, depending on a situation (Sack, 1983). If a person is standing in an elevator that is crowded with a large number of people, they might become anxious due to physical proximity that is too close for comfort. However, there are instances where people can make exceptions. With strangers, the average person can become uncomfortable; however, if the person is next to someone they know, their idea of their boundary for physical space is rarely affected (Sack, 1983). In addition, the idea of personal space for a person cannot solely be described as being physical. Personal space can be defined as a living environment or shelter. The need for privacy in a living environment can become an issue of territoriality when personal space is compromised unintentionally or in a negative manner (Eriksson & Zehaie, 2005). There are some areas where the population has increased in great numbers. The higher amounts of population have increased noise pollution and the demand for natural resources as well as various other types of resources. Researchers have developed theories of the effects of population in bigger cities versus smaller cities and rural areas (Eriksson & Zehaie, 2005). Areas with a higher amount of population are apt to consume more and produce more waste. Theories state that the increase in population must have a high effect on pollution. Researchers found that some of the information within the theories is true to a certain extent. They found that pollution can affect entire areas as whole but they also theorized that while single individuals generate enough pollution, the pollution affects the entire area rather than just the single individual (Eriksson & Zehaie, 2005). Given that there are higher amounts of populations in larger cities, there is more of a need than ever to provide space and a healthy living environment. The idea of personal space has

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changed as the population has become very dense. Many people feel that living in an area with a dense population can decrease their chances of privacy. The idea of privacy for many families is having their own space or plot of land that they can hide with barriers such as fences. However, many people cannot afford this due to monetary reasons. In addition to this, while noise pollution affects many people, there are still people who are unwilling to move to rural areas because of the lack stimulation or arousal they get from being around large groups. The growth per capita of the United States has also increased the need for natural environment in areas with a larger population. Urban planners and developers have designed many areas within a city to create green spaces or natural environments. Areas like these are commonly known as parks, gardens, and even zoos. Many parks in large cities such as New York are designated to provide residents and workers to be relieved from mental fatigue and other forms of pollution. According to Steg (2013), green spaces in urban areas also provide areas for people to socialize. People can also form social groups and develop forms of social support. Green spaces have a calming effect for areas with a dense population (Steg, 2013). Such areas provide a place with less noise pollution if the park is located at a certain distance from traffic areas. According to the World Health Organization (1999), noise pollution can have adverse effects on psychological and physiological health. In addition to this, noise pollution is also known to be a stressor that can cause endocrine and cardiovascular system issues. Research has also shown that human cognition is affected as a result of noise pollution in the same sense that an annoyance can become a stressor. Noise pollution is also known as high levels of noise and constant noise that can become an annoyance when present in residential environments (World Health Organization, 1999). As previously mentioned, noise pollution can have an effect on

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productivity in a workplace. However, in addition to harming productivity, noise pollution can cause sleep deprivation for some residents or general residential areas. Noise pollution is also known to have negative effects on individuals who reside in rural areas. Individuals who are from or reside in rural areas have a much lower tolerance for the many noises that an urban area and its population produce. In contrast, many communities and individuals have found remedies to reduce noise in their living environment as well as their work environment (World Health Organization, 1999). There are a few different ways in which people could reduce noise pollution in both their living and work environments. Different areas within the environment may require a range of methods to be implicated in order to reduce noise (World Health Organization, 1999). An example of a work environment solution to noise reduction would be a conference room. Areas such as a conference room are strategically designed to help speakers project their voice onto an audience. Conference rooms or designated enclosed spaces make workers apt to listen to instruction as well as direct their attention to one speaker and each other. Enclosed rooms can also be beneficial to worker productivity. According to the World Health Organization, there are specific criteria that need to be developed before residential development. There are also steps developers must take in order to safely reduce noise before planning a residential area. Amongst the many things to consider, planners are to estimate how much noise reduction will cost and the amount of noise that may be produced in said area. Noise reduction practices in residential areas are common with homes that are located near areas with high amounts of traffic. In recent years, urban planners have designed walls that act as sound barriers to reduce traffic noise. A high amount of traffic can produce annoying noise and air pollution. Many of these areas are prone to high amounts of pollution

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within a city, but the sound barriers have proven to be most effective in noise reduction. While sound barriers are highly effective, the WHO also urges individuals to plant trees to reduce noise. In conclusion, there are various reasons for the increase in noise pollution and territoriality. As population increases in some areas, there is a higher demand of products, resources, and services. Urban areas have denser populations in which there is a higher amount of consumption. Higher amounts of consumption equal to more waste, and a higher amount of pollution. Different types of pollution increase with higher amounts of population. Air quality likely deteriorates in areas with denser populations. In contrast, developers build green spaces to help reduce pollution stressors in the general environment. Noise pollution can have adverse effects in most people, therefore, there must be noise reduction regulations implemented to reduce stressors that come as a result of noise pollution.

POPULATION DENSITY AND NOISE

References Eriksson, C., & Zehaie, F. (2005). Population density, pollution and growth. Environmental and Resource Economics, 30(4), 465-484. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10640004-5985-z Sack, R. D. (1983). Human Territoriality: A Theory. Annals Of The Association Of American Geographers, 73(1), 55-74. Steg, L. (2013). Environmental psychology: An introduction. Hoboken, NJ: WileyBlackwell. World Health Organization. (1999). Noise Management. Guidelines for Community Noise. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/docstore/peh/noise/Comnoise-5.pdf