Group Density

Another facet of the topography of the group that is related to group size is
density. Density refers to the amount of space per person in the group (the
less space per person, the higher the density). Doubling the number of people
in the group meeting in a room of a given size will decrease by one-half
the amount of space available for each member of the group. Alternatively,
halving the number of people in the group will double the amount of space
available per person. Thus, in a room of a given size, density is directly
linked to the size of the group. This particular approach to density is called
social density, because it involves a change in density by manipulation of the
social dimension (group size). One could also manipulate the physical dimension
(room size), rendering a change in what is called spatial density.
Thus, halving the size of the room will halve the amount of space available to
each group member.
Density has been demonstrated to influence a variety of social behaviors.
People have been found to report feeling more anxious, more aggressive,
more unpleasant, and, understandably, more crowded as a function of density.
An analysis of the effects of “tripling” in college dormitories illustrates
these types of effects. As a cost-cutting measure, colleges and universities will
often house three students in a dormitory room that was initially constructed
for two (hence, tripling). Tripling has been demonstrated to lead to an increase
in arguments among the roommates, increased visits to the student
health center, decreased grades, and increased overall dissatisfaction.