Behavioral sink
Encyclopedia
In 1958, ethologist John B. Calhoun
conducted over-population experiments on rat
s on a farmland in Rockville, Maryland
which resulted in the publication of an article in the Scientific American
of a study of behavior
under conditions of overcrowding , also referred to Crowding into the Behavioral Sink . This study that had a considerable influence has become a touchstone of urban sociology
and psychology
in general ; the term has passed into common use.
Calhoun provided a cage of rat
s with food and water replenished to support any increase in population, but the cage was fixed at a size considered sufficient for only 50 rats. Population peaked at 80 rats and thereafter exhibited a variety of abnormal, often destructive behaviors; his conclusion was that space itself is a necessity. Subsequent studies involving humans have shown it is not mere lack of space that causes the behavioral sink; it is the necessity for community members to interact with one another. When forced interactions exceed some threshold, social norms break down. Thus social density is considered more critical than geometric spatial density.
Notable conditions in the behavioral sink include hyperaggression, failure to breed and nurture young normally, infant cannibalism, increased mortality at all ages, and abnormal sexual patterns. Often, population peaks, then crashes. Actual physical disease, mental illness, and psychosomatic disorders increase. There are eating disorder
s; in human populations, drug and alcohol use rises.
The only known counter to the effect of the behavioral sink is to reduce the frequency and intensity of social interaction.
The Behavioral Sink - Cabinet Magazine
John B. Calhoun
John B. Calhoun was an American ecologist and research psychologist noted for his studies of population density and its effects on behavior. He claimed that the bleak effects of overpopulation on rodents were a grim model for the future of the human race...
conducted over-population experiments on rat
Rat
Rats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents of the superfamily Muroidea. "True rats" are members of the genus Rattus, the most important of which to humans are the black rat, Rattus rattus, and the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus...
s on a farmland in Rockville, Maryland
Rockville, Maryland
Rockville is the county seat of Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a major incorporated city in the central part of Montgomery County and forms part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. The 2010 U.S...
which resulted in the publication of an article in the Scientific American
Scientific American
Scientific American is a popular science magazine. It is notable for its long history of presenting science monthly to an educated but not necessarily scientific public, through its careful attention to the clarity of its text as well as the quality of its specially commissioned color graphics...
of a study of behavior
Behavior
Behavior or behaviour refers to the actions and mannerisms made by organisms, systems, or artificial entities in conjunction with its environment, which includes the other systems or organisms around as well as the physical environment...
under conditions of overcrowding , also referred to Crowding into the Behavioral Sink . This study that had a considerable influence has become a touchstone of urban sociology
Urban sociology
Urban sociology is the sociological study of social life and human interaction in metropolitan areas. It is a normative discipline of sociology seeking to study the structures, processes, changes and problems of an urban area and by doing so providing inputs for planning and policy making. Like...
and psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
in general ; the term has passed into common use.
Calhoun provided a cage of rat
Rat
Rats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents of the superfamily Muroidea. "True rats" are members of the genus Rattus, the most important of which to humans are the black rat, Rattus rattus, and the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus...
s with food and water replenished to support any increase in population, but the cage was fixed at a size considered sufficient for only 50 rats. Population peaked at 80 rats and thereafter exhibited a variety of abnormal, often destructive behaviors; his conclusion was that space itself is a necessity. Subsequent studies involving humans have shown it is not mere lack of space that causes the behavioral sink; it is the necessity for community members to interact with one another. When forced interactions exceed some threshold, social norms break down. Thus social density is considered more critical than geometric spatial density.
Notable conditions in the behavioral sink include hyperaggression, failure to breed and nurture young normally, infant cannibalism, increased mortality at all ages, and abnormal sexual patterns. Often, population peaks, then crashes. Actual physical disease, mental illness, and psychosomatic disorders increase. There are eating disorder
Eating disorder
Eating disorders refer to a group of conditions defined by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual's physical and mental health. Bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are the most common specific...
s; in human populations, drug and alcohol use rises.
The only known counter to the effect of the behavioral sink is to reduce the frequency and intensity of social interaction.
See also
- Lord of the FliesLord of the FliesLord of the Flies is a novel by Nobel Prize-winning author William Golding about a group of British boys stuck on a deserted island who try to govern themselves, with disastrous results...
- Societal collapseSocietal collapseSocietal collapse broadly includes both quite abrupt societal failures typified by collapses , as well as more extended gradual declines of superpowers...
The Behavioral Sink - Cabinet Magazine