Ever wondered why going back to your old colleges and school campuses feels like stepping into a book filled with chapters of your memories? The feeling of walking inside those same classrooms where you once bonded with friends, laughed during lectures, passed notes, and even got scolded by teachers. It all rushes back. The echo of your laughter and peace bouncing off the walls. Even the air has a similar scent of dusty books, rain-soaked grounds, canteen chai and coffee. Even without the same commotion, the silence seems familiar. It simply feels like you’re walking into a home you once left behind.
This emotional bond that an individual forms with places is known as place attachment (Brown et al., 2012). Several studies have focused on attachment theories between individuals; however, the research centred around place attachment is limited. Studies by Brown & Perkins (1992) show that place attachment can have affective, behavioural and/or cognitive ties that the individual forms with the place. This article further explores the psychological foundations of place attachment, with a special emphasis on why college campuses are more than just educational buildings and how they continue to hold such emotional significance over time.
Read More: The Comfort of Familiarity: Psychological Safety in Places from Our Past
Psychological Framework of Place Attachment
1. The Person-Process-Place (PPP) Model
The PPP framework proposed by Scannell and Gifford (2010) organises place attachment into three components:
- Person dimension: It differentiates whether the attachment is individual or shared by a group
- Process dimensions: Identifies the three psychological components involved in attachment, that is, affect, behaviour and cognition
- Place dimension: It includes both physical and social aspects of the place that contribute to the individual having an emotional bond to it.
A student’s connection to their campus might involve individual memories like pulling all-nighters or collective experiences like annual hostel pranks or farewell parties, emotional responses to both positive and negative moments and the physical look and feel of the place itself; all working together to create a lasting bond.
2. Environmental Psychology
Place attachment is a central factor in environmental psychology. This branch of study focuses on how physical surroundings have an impact on human thoughts, behaviours, and wellbeing (Inalhan et al., 2021). However, there are debates among scholars who argue that the social interactions and bonds formed in those physical spaces play a greater role in being attached to the place rather than the physical characteristics of the place itself (Hidalgo & Hernandez, 2001). Alumni tend to get nostalgic for their old campus, not simply for memories, but also for the physical environment itself. The familiar paths, old benches, and the way the buildings are laid out become the blueprint of a secondary home over time.
3. Attachment Theory
Attachment theory, developed by Bowlby, is an important framework to understand place attachment. Although the theory was initially developed to comprehend human interactions, the foundation of the theory can be used to explore the emotional bond that individuals have with the environment that offers them comfort and familiarity, similar to being in the warmth of a trusted caregiver (Giuliani, 2003). A study by Relph (1978) concluded that place attachment is not just a common occurrence but rather a significant emotional need that the current society is unable to satisfy due to modern trends like mobility and impersonal space. This strong sense of attachment to old campuses is because it provided the much-needed security, familiarity and emotional stability, which is lacking in the hustling atmosphere that surrounds modern life.
4. Place Identity Theory
Place identity is a key theory of place attachment. It suggests that physical environments play a key role in the formation of self-identity, and any changes to the place might impact an individual’s sense of self-concept. In addition to the affective and behavioural bond, place identity, a strong cognitive aspect of place attachment, can enhance protective feelings towards the environment to which one is attached (Hernández et al., 2010). Former students consider their campuses as a part of their personal experience that helped them become the adults they are today.
5. Cognitive Mapping
Cognitive or mental mapping of familiar places is an effective method to reignite the nostalgia of the spaces that carry emotional significance, making individuals feel as though they’ve stepped back in time (Smith & Aranha, 2020). This is why, when people narrate stories from their college days, the memories often come alive with vivid imagery, as if they are mentally reliving those moments through these stories that are imprinted with emotion and meaning.
Read More: The Memory Map: How Returning to Your Old City Rewrites Your Story
Why Do Campuses Leave a Lasting Impact?
College campuses are more than simply institutions of academic purposes. They are major environments where identities are formed and personal growth occurs. Research by Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory states that the period of identity vs. role confusion occurs in late adolescence and early adulthood (Cherry, 2023), a period they spend time in college, when people start to define and explore their identities, values, and sense of belonging. Additionally, studies done by Adams and Fitch (1983) indicate that social freedom and institutional structure provided by universities promote intellectual curiosity and the exploration of identity on campus. College campuses are also spaces where friendships and peer interactions are formed, playing a significant role in shaping beliefs, thoughts, and personal values.
Read More: Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development
The Power of Nostalgia and Sensory Cues in Recollection
Nostalgia is a big part of place attachment. These memories are typically happy recollections that bring happiness, comfort or significance to the individual. Such memories establish a sense of belonging that makes individuals feel attached to the people, culture, and history of a place. This emotional connection may also turn into a form of motivation to revisit as individuals feel drawn to the environments that once helped define their past (Cho, 2021). Additionally, Sensory stimuli also have a key role in place attachment since they determine how the perceptions and emotional responses of people towards a place are structured. These cues can be visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile stimuli, which can evoke positive feelings and memories, thereby strengthening the bond between an individual and his or her surroundings (Kastenholz et al., 2020).
Read More: Attachment Patterns Across Relational Contexts: A Psychological Overview
Conclusion
In summary, the emotional attachment that people have to campuses is anchored in various psychological theories. Physical space becoming emotionally meaningful can be explained with the help of concepts like environmental psychology, attachment theory, place identity, cognitive mapping, and Person Process Place (PPP) model. These theories have pointed out comfort, familiarity, memory, and personal meaning that are offered when developing place attachment. Additionally, identity formation, peer interactions, nostalgia, and sensory stimuli together can explain why campuses continue to be such enduring and strong symbols in people’s lives, even several years after leaving the academic journey.
FAQS
1. What are the benefits of having a strong place attachment?
Strong place attachment can lead to a sense of belonging, increased social interaction, and overall well-being. It can also instil a sense of responsibility for protecting and preserving the place.
2. Can something disrupt or break place attachment?
Yes, numerous factors, such as relocation, environmental changes, or social disruptions, can disrupt or break place attachment.. These disruptions can lead to negative psychological and social consequences.
3. How does place attachment relate to ageing in place?
For older adults, ageing in the place they are attached closely links to their sense of place attachment. Strong place attachment can facilitate this process by providing a sense of familiarity, security, and social support.
4. Can place attachment change over time, or is it a fixed feeling?
Place attachment is not a fixed feeling; it can evolve and change over time. While the initial attachment may form during formative years, any changes, including relocation, changes in the environment, or shifts in personal circumstances, can alter the strength and nature of these emotional bonds. However, even with changes, the initial attachment can still prevail and may create strong feelings of nostalgia and familiarity.
5. How does place attachment impact a person’s well-being, especially when revisiting an old campus?
Revisiting an old campus can evoke positive emotions, memories, and a sense of belonging, potentially boosting well-being. The familiar sights, sounds, and smells can trigger feelings of comfort, security, and nostalgia, contributing to a positive emotional state.
References +
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