Processes which mediate behavior-environment congruence

Abstract

The behavior setting is a useful unit for study of man-environment relationships, but research on this unit should go beyond static description to consider the question, "What events or processes mediate the influence of environments (behavior settings) on behavior?'' In this context, several psychological theories are discussed: operant learning, observational learning, behavior setting theory, and social exchange theory. For each theory, research problems relevant to environmental planning and design are suggested. Sommer, 1969;Willems, 1969), goal-directed and expressive behavior (Gump, Schoggen, cPr R e d , 1957). The following statement is n corollary to tlie conclusion that the immediate environment is a significant determinant of human belinvior: Most of tlie time, most people behave in ways tliat are compatible \kith or adaptive to the settings they occupy. This is not to suggest, of course, that everyone in the same situation behaves in the same way, but rather that most of the various behaviors which occur are a t least compatible with, if 1 This paper is a revision of a paper presented a t the Eriviroiimental Design Research Association second annual conference, Pittsburgh, Pa., October 1970. Its preparationwas facilitated by a graiit from the National Institute of Mental Health, 2G5Behavioral Science, Volume 17, 1972 riot facilitative of, the setting. In any givcri setting, some people will probablj. engage in behaviors which directly promote the purpose or goal of the setting (for eximpic, directinp the orchestra, playing a musical instrument, or ushering a t a. concert). Others present, although they do not contribute to the event to the bame extent, nevertheless engige in complementary activities (for example, sitting in the audience) and they tend to avoid behaviors which \I-ould coriflict with the focal behaviors (for example, they avoid talking aloud and standing up at their seats during the performance). It should be understood that tlie behaviors being referred to here are relatively molar, goal-directed acts, such as talking, drinking, sitting, marching, etc., and not the more molecular behaviors such as heat1 nods, specific verbalizations, etc. The fit betwcen the immediate sociophysical environment and the behaviors within it is hereafter referred to as behavior-environmeiIt congruence. REACTIONS TO INCONGRUENCE BETWEEN BEHAVIORS AND ENVIRONMENTSL:Lymen generally take the pheiiomeriori of behavior-eriviroriment congruence for grantcd. When people see someone bch:iving inappropriately in a setting, they often m:ke broad inferences about the traits the dcvimt

Situational Effects on the Consumption of Time

“…In the second, subjects were assigned randomly to only one situation. Other conceptual contributions have been made by Wicker (1975), Russell and Mehrabian (1976), Park (1976) and Bearden and Woodside (1977).…”

Mapping a research agenda for the science of team science

“…Thus, following views espoused in the health sciences, we favor a systems view, where an interdependent and iterative set of clusters can be:

viewed as a coherent whole, while the relationships among the components are also recognized and seen as critical to the system. (Mabry et al , 2008)

In addition to highlighting the multi-level interdependencies among the various facets of team science depicted in the concept map, systems theory also suggests the value of maximizing the level of congruence or fit (Adamopoulos, 1982; Wicker, 1972) that exists among the phenomena encompassed by each cluster of the map. For instance, certain team structures and contexts (e.g.…”

Behavioral assessment of psychiatric inpatients and normal controls across different environmental contexts

“…To date, however, there appears to be a paucity of behavioral analyses of psychiatric patients that focus on possible interactions between behavioral and environmental variables. This appears to be the case even though Mischel (1973) and others have stressed the importance of behavior-environment interactions, and the foundation for this type of analysis has already been laid (e.g., Craik, 1973;Holahan, 1976;Mariotto, 1978;Moos, 1967;Paul, 1980;Price, 1974;Price and Bouffard, 1974;Rosen et al, 1980a;Wicker, 1972). Much work remains to be done before the identification of specific behaviors, environments, and behavior-environment interactions can be made that would have relevance for treatment decisions.…”