Introduction to Environmental Psychology

Content

1. Origin of environmental psychology

2. Perception a. seeing b. gestalt c. depth

3. Effects of the environment on us a. place attachment b. place identity c. territoriality d. personal space e. crowding f. privacy

1. Introduction

2 directions led to environmental psychology- from psychology (limitation of experimental settings)- from architecture (designing for a specific outcome)

“A sense that architecture was a system with no feedback and psycholo-gists wanted to get the users involved”

1. Introduction

Different viewpoints from laypersons, psychologists and architects also result in badly formulated ques-tions for the other groups

Desire to solve real world problems

1. Introduction

4 ways of looking at the world:

a. Deterministicb. Interactionalc. Organismicd. Transactional

1. Introduction

a. Deterministic

relationship between the person and environment is causal

if this is the case, then that happens

1. Introduction

b. Interactional

Focus on combination of person and environment

if this is the case, then there is a possibility that that happens.

1. Introduction

c. Organismic

relationship between the person and environment is part of a wholeif this is the case, then there is a possibility that that happens,which influences the rest of the system,either moving to or from the ideal end state

Memories

associations

preferences

1. Introduction

d. Transactional

relationship between the person and environment is part of a whole

There is no ideal end statechange and time are defining features of the system

Memories

associations

preferences

Today

1. Introduction

But, we first need to perceive the environment in or-der to move around

2. Perception

Information comes in through the senses:

smell touch pain sound vision taste

2. Perception Vision

Goal ->identify meaningful objects and ac-tivities

seeing forms and patterns

visual system - image

2. Perception Vision

objects are defined by contours -> edges or borderschanges in brightness or colour from the background

brain enhances contrast of borders -> lighter near dark border, darker near light border.

2. Perception Vision

“ The whole is different from the sum of

its parts. ”

the whole is defined by the way the parts are organised

Built in rules for organising el-ements into wholes -> 6 rules

2. Perception Gestalt

Proximity

2. Perception Gestalt

Similarity

2. Perception Gestalt

Closure

2. Perception Gestalt

Good continuation

2. Perception Gestalt

Common movement

2. Perception Gestalt

Good form(simple, uncluttered, symmetrical, regular, predict-able)

2. Perception Gestalt

Figure ground

usually circum-scribed is seen as object,circumscribing as background

2. Perception Gestalt

Pictorial cues:

occlusion

relative image size for familiar objects

linear perspective (convergence)texture gradient (decrease in size and spacing)position relative to horizon

differential lighting of surfaces

2. Perception Depth

Motion parallax

effects/ease of perceiving nature & fractal like environments3 theories:

Attention restoration (kaplan & kaplan)being away - fascination - extent - compatibility

Biophilia (Wilson)

Fractality (based on Mandelbrot)

2. Perception Environment

source of all info about the environmentnot a sensation but a filtering processinvolves processing complex & often meaningful stimulicannot perceive everything

lecture affordances:what is there to see, not how things look

2. Perception Concluding

Environmental stress -> too many stimuliBehaviour constraints -> walls, locks, height, fencesBehaviour settings -> culture, predefined rulesEnvironmental restoration -> extent, natureAesthetic preferences -> culturally based, learnedStereotyping -> associations between persons & environmentPlace attachment, place identity -> memories & personal identityTerritoriality, personal space -> control personal boundariesCrowding, privacy -> defensible space -> marking, control

3. Effects on us Environment

(place) Identity

Identity can be approached from the individual or group level.Which identity-role is important directs behaviourWhen a place becomes part of your identity ->“I am a city-person” “I am a TU-Delft student”

3. Effects on us Place identity

Place identity

Place reflects on the person’s identity, and the person might see oneself different based on the place.

Identity process theory (Breakwell)& place:

distinctivenesscontinuityself esteemself efficacy

3. Effects on us Place identity

Place attachment

Usually positive emotional bonds to physical and so-cial settings that support identity and provide other psychological benefits.

3. Effects on us Place attachment

Place attachment

Space vs. placeSpace is the physical environment, where place is the meaning people attach to that space

5 aspects of place attachment:sense of securityautonomyappropriationstimulationcongruence

3. Effects on us Place attachment

Territoriality

A self-other boundary regulation mechanism that involves personalisation of or marking of a place or object, and communication that it is ‘owned’ by a person or group.contrary to personal space the boundary is physical and more or less constant.

3. Effects on us Territoriality

Personalisation and ownership are designed to regulate social interaction and to help satisfy various social and physical motives.

Territoriality

3 types of territory:

Primary - the space is ownedSecondary - control of the space is likely to changePublic - first come, first served

Which space is which type of territory depends on per-ception of the person -> not necessarily equal for everyone

3. Effects on us Territoriality

Personal space

An invisible boundary surrounding a person’s body into which intruders may not come.

It has three aspects:a portable territorya spacing mechanisma communication channel.

3. Effects on us Personal space

Personal space

personal space is influenced by:

genderreligionagepersonalityphysical settingculturelanguage

seating arrangements

3. Effects on us Personal space

Crowding

A personally defined subjective feeling that too many people are around. It is different from density in that density is an objective measure of the number of people per unit area. Crowding is thought to be more related to proximity of others than density.

3. Effects on us Crowding

Crowding

is influenced by:- locus of control- culture- gender- presence and behaviours of others nearby- group formation- quality of relationships- provision of information on density- architectural variations (long corridors)- sociofugal situations

3. Effects on us Crowding

Privacy

A dynamic process involving selective control over a self-boundary which changes over time and settings.

- desired privacy & achieved privacyIf both are the same the level of privacy is optimal.

functions of privacy:1. personal autonomy (self-worth, independence)2. emotional release (relax from social roles)3. self-evaluation (process of self esteem)4. limited and protected communication

3. Effects on us Privacy

Privacy

Behavioural mechanisms:- verbal- personal space- rules about territory, possessions- cultural norms- eye contact

Designing for privacy:responsive environments that allow for flexible move-ment between separateness and togetherness (leaving a door open)

3. Effects on us Privacy

concluding

3. Effects on us Concluding

No simple solutions

The environment affects us in multiple and diverse ways and we affect the environment in diverse ways.

The real question is how to design environments that do not determine, but facilitate behaviours that we never thought of.

Concluding

Enjoy the lecture series and get inspired!