Territorial Behavior in Residence Halls

Abstract

This research enhances the understanding of cultural differences in the degree of territoriality in residence halls and how territorial behavior differs based on gender, culture, and knowing one's roommate previously. The present study was conducted in two distinct cultures: American, representing a noncontact culture, and Turkish, representing a contact culture. The sample was representative of male and female freshmen living in double-occupancy rooms at single-sex residence halls. Factor analysis yielded two dimensions of territorial experience: firmness of boundaries and personalization and claiming. In both cultures, men tended to exhibit more nonsharing behavior and less personalization of space than women. Regardless of culture and gender, students who knew their roommates tended to share their personal belongings and other features of the room to a greater extent than students who did not know their roommates previously. American students experienced their rooms as more personal and expressive of the self than did Turkish students.

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