The Role of Group Phenomena in the Experience of Crowding

Group cohesiveness as related to crowding perception was investigated in two phases with residents of two types of college dormitory--4-6 person suites where residents shared common areas with 3-5 others & 34 person corridor dorms where residents shared common areas with 33 others. In the first phase, freshmen students (with unformed proximity choice structures) were tested in a task-discussion-decision design, with residential condition crossed with proximity in a 2x2 analysis. In the second phase, sophomores (who had been allowed choice on proximity in residence) were interviewed on perceptions of crowding. Corridor residents when compared with suite residents are: (1) less likely to participate in residential groups, (2) less able to reach group consensus on a task, (3) more eager to reside in close proximity to friends & preestablished groups by the sophomore year, & (4) more likely to feel their floor is crowded. Those sophomores who had been able to establish residential groups in the corridor setting were less aware of crowding than were unaffiliated residents. Freshmen corridor residents were generally more aware of crowding than suite residents. Residential designs which facilitate group formation would probably reduce crowding perceptions. 4 Tables. T. Babitsky