Analysis of Desmond Morris' Article Territorial Behavior

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Analysis of Desmond Morris' Article Territorial Behavior In this essay I intend to discuss and evaluate Desmond Morris's article on 'Territorial Behavior'. After reading his article, and having taken into account his thoughts and perceptions, I feel I can relate to as well as appreciate the most part of what he wrote, however, on the other hand, our opinions differentiate moderately over certain aspects of the article .Morris defines a territory as a 'defended space'. In my perspective, I find this definition somewhat vague as it fails to further educate the reader. By this I mean it does not deliver a sufficient amount of information needed to enhance the readers' knowledge from what they already apprehend. In my opinion, the instinct of territorialism is by definition a powerful driving force in a species' control of the environment, and therefore this leads me to presume that if one has more room, then in turn one has more access to resources. Morris emphasizes this consistently throughout the article by describing visual signals that relate to his three categorized terms of territory. He mentions the need for us to have our own personal space, and states boldly that if we are without it, we feel threatened. 'A portable territory called a Personal Space…. threatened'. In other words, the message he's trying to portray to the reader is that, territorial symbols help us to establish our place in society and give us a comfortable sense of security. I can comprehend on a personal level when Morris states 'when people are too far outside our personal space... ... middle of paper ... ...ly different subcultures associated with region, ethnic origin, or social class. What we need to put into practice as a whole is to appreciate one another for who we are and what we believe in. From my personal point of view, I found Morris's article to be both intriguing as well as educational, in the sense that he made me put into perspective circumstances that I normally wouldn't have even considered thinking twice about. He refreshed my outlook on the world we live in today and in turn gave me a more in-depth understanding of people of different creeds and backgrounds. It's through reading his article that I have created an interest in educating myself on how us humans have evolved and developed over time to have established a powerful and successful nation such as America.

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