IDFX Human Behavior Flashcards
Design Theory
a way to direct design based on a system of beliefs or philosophy
Historic Precedent
A common approach to design theory is to base current design on ideas and styles of the past
Environmental Design Research
focuses on theories of the interaction between humans and their environment. It attempts to develop an approach to rational design based on scientific research rather than personal philosophies.
Evidence Based Design (EBD)
basing design decisions on credible research that links one or more environmental elements with a desired outcome
Functionalism
places emphasis on providing simple, rational solutions to design problems without extraneous decoration. (Le Corbusier)
Gestalt Theory (Theory of Perception)
states that humans innately perceive things as whole so that what is perceived is complete and comprehensible.
Simultaneous contrast
The same color appears to change depending on the background color its seen against
Grouping (Principle of Gestalt Psychology)
humans perceive separate units in the visual field as a group
Closure (Principle of Gestalt Psychology)
tendency to perceive incomplete forms as complete
Continuity (Principle of Gestalt Psychology)
tendency to see a line or shape as continuing in a particular direction rather than making a sharp turn
Simplicity (Principle of Gestalt Psychology)
states that people prefer the simplest, most stable organization of forms or the overall structure of elements in the visual field rather than complex individual parts
Figure Ground (Principle of Gestalt Psychology)
refers to the way people distinguish a form (the figure) from its surroundings (the ground)
Perceptual Constancy
people perceive an object or space as essentially the same regardless of the exact image on the eye.
Shape constancy
people perceive objects as having their original shape regardless of a change in orientation of the object or the point of view of the observer
Size constancy
people tend to perceive an object as having the same size regardless of the changes in viewing distance to the object.
Lightness constancy
people perceive the lightness or darkness of an object as the same regardless of the illumination of the space in which the object is viewed
Color constancy
people perceive the color of an object as the same regardless of the lighting conditions under which the object is viewed.
Interposition
a distant object may appear to be overlapped and partly hidden by a closer object
Linear Perspective
Parallel lines will appear to recede toward a single point in the distance
Atmospheric Perspective
because of small particles in the air, more distant objects appear to be hazy and may change color.
Texture Perspective
The density of a texture seems to increase as the distance from the viewer increases
Social and Cultural Influences
People’s cultural and social backgrounds affect their response to design. Political conditions, economic conditions, cultural attitudes, symbolism, regionalism
Behavior Setting
particular place with definable boundaries and objects in which a standing pattern of behavior occurs at a particular time
Territoriality
peoples need to lay claim to the spaces they occupy and the things they own (personalization of space)
Proxemics
created by Edward T Hall to describe the interrelated observations and theories about how people use space as a specialized elaboration of culture. Deals w/issues of spacing between people, territoriality, org. of space, and positioning of people in space, all relative to the culture
Halls 4 basic distances of human behavior
- intimate distance - physical contact to 6”-18” - Only allowed under specific conditions
- Personal Distance - 18” to 4’ - people usually keep at least this distance between them and others
- Social Distance - 4’ to 12’ - most interpersonal business, work and other interactions take place
- Public Distance - 12’ outward - greatest formality, allows for escape if needed
Status
an individuals location or position within the environment can also communicate status (corner office, head of table…)