Ch. 5 Where People Live: Person-Environment Interactions Flashcards
person-environment interactions
the interface btwn people y the world they live in that forms the basis for development
b = f(p,e)
competence
the upper limit of a person’s ability to function in five domains [physical health, sensory-perceptual skills, motor skills, cognitive skills, y ego strength]
environmental press
the physical, interpersonal or social demands that environments put on people
(ie) boring environment not stimulating
adaptation level**
the area where press level is average for a particular level of competence
- where behavior y affect = normal
zone of maximum performance potential*
(competence-environmental press theory) the area where increases in press tend to improve performance
zone of maximum comfort*
(competence-environmental press theory) the area where slight decreases in environmental press occur
proactivity*
when ppl choose new behaviors to meet new desires or needs y exert control over their lives
- more likely in ppl w/ relatively high competence
docility**
when people allow the situation to dictate the options they have y exert little control
- more likely in ppl w/ relatively low competence
preventive adaptations**
actions that avoid stressors y increase or build social resources
(ie) increasing social network by adding friends
corrective adaptations**
actions taken in response to stressors y can be facilitated by internal/external resources
(ie) change diet after having a heart attack
everyday competence**
a persons potential ability to perform a wide range of activities considered essential for independent living
- not the person’s actual ability to perform the tasks
- depends on antecedents, components, mechanisms y outcomes
antecedent**
both individual (e.g. health cognition) y sociocultural (e.g. cultural stereotypes, social policy, health care policy) factors - influence components
component**
most important or exert the most influence depends on the overall conditions under which the person lives
mechanism**
factors that moderate the way competence is actually expressed
(ie) whether one believes he/she is in control of the situation influences how competent the person turns out to be
ecology of aging**
aka environmental psychology
the field of study which seeks to understand the dynamic relations btwn older adults y the environments they inahbit
