Social Crowding and the Complexity of the Built Environment: A Theoretical and Experimental Framework

Abstract

Based on neuropsychological considerations a model is suggested where man’s capacity and activity are related to his built and social environments. Using methods from psychology and physiology the model has thus far been tested on several points. The paper presents a specific study where the visual complexity and coherence of the built environment are related to social intensity. Using four rooms of differing visual character, subjects, singly or in groups of two, each spent one hour in one of the rooms. Measurements included ratings of the rooms and of the social settings. By means of multi-dimensional analysis, it was possible to study the effects of the interaction of the social and built environments.