| Description |
Crowding appears to consist of many components. The present study focused on two, density and interaction. The effects of both on study behavior were observed in the University of Utah Marriott Library. It was hypothesized that if the study atmosphere is in some way altered, by increased density or increased distraction, the student may take some defensive action. Lone females were invaded under four conditions: high density x high interaction, high density x low interaction, low density x high interaction, low density x low interaction. The defensive measures were noted: a) active eye contact, perhaps used as a means to drive away intruders and b) flight time. Different levels of both reactions were expected, with the greatest amount of eye contact expected in the high density x high interaction condition. Interaction was expected to be the key factor in producing; a crowded condition. The results indicated that interaction combined with density to produce the greatest mean eye contact. High interaction appeared to be the key factor producing high degrees of eye contact. Density alone showed no significant effects on eye contact. None of the conditions produced any significant flight behavior. These results supported the emerging model of crowding as an experiential state characterized by the breakdown of stimuli control. |
