What term best describes reactions of communities experiencing changes in population dynamics?

The term that best describes reactions of communities experiencing changes in population dynamics is demographic transition. This concept refers to the shift in population growth patterns that occurs as a country develops economically. It encompasses the transition from high birth and death rates to lower birth and death rates, resulting in changes in population size and structure. Communities face various social, economic, and cultural reactions during this transition as they adapt to new demographic realities, including shifts in family structures, workforce compositions, and social services.

In contrast, culture shock pertains to the feelings of confusion and disorientation that individuals may experience when exposed to an unfamiliar culture, rather than collective reactions of communities to population changes. A defended neighborhood refers to areas where residents take measures to protect their territory from change, typically in response to threats like urban decline or gentrification, rather than the broader demographic shifts. Deindustrialization describes the decline of industrial activity in a region, impacting economic structures and employment, but it does not specifically address shifts in population dynamics. Thus, demographic transition is the most fitting term for describing communal responses to changing population dynamics.