Human Response to Physical Structure: Environmental Psychology

Human Response to Physical Structure:

Environmental psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on explaining human behavior in relation to the physical environment. In this case, the physical environment basically incorporates plants, animals, and material objects that have a significant impact on behavior at various levels. However, this branch of psychology does not focus on the interactional procedures among people as emphasized on other branches of psychology. In analyzing human behavior, it adopts a systems approach that has become the main approach in modern science.

Impact of Physical Structure on Human Behavior:

According to various theories, the physical environment or structure affects human behavior at various levels with instant behavior acting as a function of settings with which it happens (Matthew, n.d.). The individual personality traits of people within a specified country are largely influenced by the nature and type of physical environment that these individuals are subject to for a long period of time. This physical environment consists of various elements including climatic conditions, soil, topography, available materials, and various competitors in the realm.

On the other hand, there are social environments that are developed by the various elements in the physical environment. These elements that act as the source of and influences on the social environment are physic elements and economic relations. The physic elements are described as the awareness of kind that result in sympathy and co-operation in all stages of development from the least to the greatest conventions of today's society. On the contrary, the economic relations are the pursuit of wealth, which is the main factor behind social impulse.

The initial progress under these influences is usually unconscious just like the adaptation of a plant to a new environment. In every social organization including the highest phases, human response to environmental forces is effective in large measures than many people are ready to admit. While human beings development is initially unconscious, it soon becomes more conscious and self-governed because of the apparent geographic environment. All major elements of the environment and its forces are expressed in social institutions and conventions (Goode, n.d.).

Based on the descriptions of many studies on the impact of urbanization on human behavior, the instinctual behavioral patterns by individuals apparently break down when they are exposed to over-populated and artificial urban conditions. Therefore, different types of neighborhoods and physical structures like slums, flats, and red light areas have a great influence on an individual's behavioral patterns. For instance, racial differences and behaviors in personality are attributed to the impact of various environments with which these individuals have been subjected for a certain period of time.

Most of these instances occur under an aspect known as crowding which has a significant effect on human behavior. In most cases, people in higher density environments tend to express higher levels of distress, anger, frustrations, and aggression (Stewart, 2007). However, people living in lower density environments tend to behave in cooperation and less competitiveness.

Architecture as a Means of Controlling Human Behavior:

As an art that combines technology, expression, and the fulfillment of human needs, the purpose of architecture is to develop places where individuals can feel more alive, human, and satisfied. While the influence of various forces is largely recognized, the role of good design in determining and influencing human behavior is largely ignored. Architecture has an influence in managing human behavior because it provides an environment where people feel more dependent and fulfilled.

For instance, elderly people usually experience challenges in maintaining dignity and competency due to the struggles of deteriorating health and physiological abilities. Through architecture, a safer and secure environment can be developed to help these elderly people to be more dependent and less self-assured (Moore, n.d.). The major way with which architecture can be used as a means of managing human behavior is through the development of suitable environments. With the development of a good environment through architecture, individuals feel more alive, human and fulfilled resulting in good or positive behaviors. On the contrary, without a suitable environment developed through incorrect architectural procedures, people feel less human, alive and satisfied resulting in bad or negative behaviors.

Environmental Psychological Implications:

The two major types of building designs that are part of the architecture of the environment are commercial and residential designs. Commercial designs are mainly centered on developing buildings for corporate purpose in society that serve the entire public including schools, hospitals, and prisons. There are two main purposes of commercial design which are the efficient operation for its users through easy access to goods and the provision of opportunities for social interactions, security, and privacy.

On the contrary, residential design buildings are aimed at developing buildings that support the best possible adaptation and operations in more private residential confines. Some of the major considerations in residential design include the need to differentiate between place and space. While place basically deals with the physiological and psychological foundations that people associate with space, space basically focuses on the physical factors of a building. These considerations serve as important aspects for combining the environmental framework and needs of the individual.

The main environmental psychological implication for both commercial and residential designs is privacy considerations. For commercial design, users need buildings that provide some degree of privacy in order for them to perform their duties and promote optimal functionality. When these users don't experience the necessary privacy, their social interaction is significantly hindered. For instance, greater privacy in hospitals has been regarded as a vital aspect because it lessens the length of patient's confinement and aid their recovery process. Similarly, social interactions for residential designs are enhanced by a perfect balance of privacy, which is attained through personal living spaces for all individuals and community areas. The interior design of residential buildings should include various barriers that enhance privacy and open areas for social interaction.

Importance of Architectural Development:

As an important aspect for environmental stability, sustainable development emphasizes on preserving natural resources and their careful use. One of the notable aspects of architecture or architectural development is the unique challenge it presents to the field of sustainable development. This is largely because construction projects normally consume huge amounts of resources and produces tons of waste ("Importance of Sustainable Architecture," 2010). Additionally, this process also involves assessing the preservation of buildings which have historical significance as compared to the development of modern and innovative designs.

The importance of architectural development supporting sustainable development is for the establishment of sustainable construction. Sustainable construction is describes as the development and accountable management of a healthy created environment that is based on efficient resources and principles of ecology. One of the main objectives of sustainably designed buildings is to reduce their effect on the environment by being resource and energy efficient. The main principles behind the establishment of such buildings include improving natural environment, lessening the use of toxic materials, and reducing consumption of non-renewable resources.

Generally, the importance of architectural design that enhances sustainable development is for the creation of buildings that have fewer impacts on the natural environment, the immediate surroundings, and the wider regional setting. This will in turn promote the balanced use of natural resources and the suitable management of the building supplies. Architectural development that supports sustainable development contributes to saving of limited resources, lessening energy consumption, and enhancing the quality of the environment. It also focuses on maximizing efficiency and comfort, enhancing the well-being of every inhabitant, and improving the well-being and assortment of the neighboring ecosystem.