Territoriality and Identity

Territoriality is the instinct or behavior of individuals or groups to defend and mark a specific area as their own, often to secure resources, safety, or social dominance. Identity refers to how people see themselves and their sense of belonging to certain groups, cultures, or communities. Together, these concepts influence how individuals behave—protecting their territory and expressing their group affiliations—shaping social interactions and boundaries. In essence, territoriality involves protecting space, while identity relates to personal and group self-understanding within that space.