Advances In Environmental Psychology

The development of a field or an area of inquiry is often marked by changes in measurement techniques, shifts in analytic emphasis, and disputes over the best ways of doing research. In many areas of psychology, a number of issues have characterized methodological evolution of the discipline, including questions regarding context and reductionism, or laboratory versus field research. For some of the newer areas in psychology, such as environment or health psychology, this is not an issue of either/or. Although there has been some debate about these trade-offs, it is generally regarded by people in this field that some combination of the two approaches is essential. Depending on the question being studied this balance may change. However, the questions asked are less likely to inquire ‘which way is better’ and concentrate on how both may be used. This observation serves to illustrate the fact that different research endeavours have different methodological issues. Originally published in 1985, this volume explores some of the issues characterizing work on health, environment, and behavior.

The development of a field or an area of inquiry is often marked by changes in measurement techniques, shifts in analytic emphasis, and disputes over the best ways of doing research. In many areas of psychology, a number of issues have characterized methodological evolution of the discipline, including questions regarding context and reductionism, or laboratory versus field research. For some of the newer areas in psychology, such as environment or health psychology, this is not an issue of either/or. Although there has been some debate about these trade-offs, it is generally regarded by people in this field that some combination of the two approaches is essential. Depending on the question being studied this balance may change. However, the questions asked are less likely to inquire 'which way is better' and concentrate on how both may be used. This observation serves to illustrate the fact that different research endeavours have different methodological issues. Originally published in 1985, this volume explores some of the issues characterizing work on health, environment, and behavior.

How do people manage their environments? What processes are basic to the interactions between people and their environments? These questions are central to almost all areas of psychology but in a more narrow sense are the heart of environmental psychology. Some environmental studies focus on the antecedents of person-environment interactions, others on the effects of the environment on the individual, and others on outcomes. Still others focus on the processes by which people attempt to manipulate their surroundings. This volume, the second in a series, is concerned with one of these processes - control, actual and perceived, that individuals exercise over their environment.

How do people manage their environments? What processes are basic to the interactions between people and their environments? These questions are central to almost all areas of psychology but in a more narrow sense are the heart of environmental psychology. Some environmental studies focus on the antecedents of person-environment interactions, others on the effects of the environment on the individual, and others on outcomes. Still others focus on the processes by which people attempt to manipulate their surroundings. This volume, the second in a series, is concerned with one of these processes - control, actual and perceived, that individuals exercise over their environment.

This book presents original research results on the leading edge of environmental psychology. Each chapter has been carefully selected in an attempt to present substantial advances across a broad spectrum.

This second volume in the Advances in Environment, Behavior, and Design series follows the pattern of Volume 1. It is organized into six sections user group research, consisting of advances in theory, place research, sociobehavioral research, research and design methods, and research utilization. The authors of the chapters in this volume represent a range of disciplines, including architecture, geography, psychology, social ecology, and urban planning. They also offer international perspectives: Tommy Garling from Sweden, Graeme Hardie from South Africa (re cently relocated to North Carolina), Gerhard Kaminski from the Federal Republic of Germany, and Roderick Lawrence from Switzerland (for merly from Australia). Although most chapters address topics or issues that are likely to be familiar to readers (environmental perception and cognition, facility pro gramming, and environmental evaluation), four chapters address what the editors perceive to be new topics for environment, behavior, and design research. Herbert Schroeder reports on advances in research on urban for estry. For most of us the term forest probably conjures up visions of dense woodlands in rural or wild settings. Nevertheless, in many parts of the country, urban areas have higher densities of tree coverage than can be found in surrounding rural landscapes. Schroeder reviews re search that addresses the perceived and actual benefits and costs associ ated with these urban forests.