WEEK TWO: CONTROL THEORY

The control theory has to do with the way that people control their environments. Being able to control your environment is important for the clients and us designers have to give the clients what they need to make the space effective.

Three different types of control theories to look at:

• Behavioral Control
• Cognitive Control
• Decisional Control

Behavioral control is the ability to change the environment event. Designers want to be able to design a space that is appropriate to their client, so they need to see how they react and behavior in certain spaces. People change their behavior based on where they are. The photo below is a good example of behavioral control because in this space people are in an environment where they can relax and do work. 

Coffeehouse

Cognitive control is the ability to change the way in which we conceive of an environment. One of the jobs of a designer is to change the spaces for their clients. If the client told the designer about things that they didn't like in their home, then the designer is going to design something that is different from the client's dislikes. My class observed how people acted and where they went at out school's farmers market. 

Decisional control is the ability to choose a response. A client will feel more in control and more powerful if they are able to choose their own response in their homes. If they wanted a space that had a warm and cozy feeling to it, then they can control that by having warm blankets, big comfy bed, and paint the room a warm color, for example. The photo below is a good example because I put a lamp on my desk to have more light.

As I said earlier there are three different types of control theories, which are behavioral, cognitive, and decisional. People love to be in control and as a designer we need to give the client's what they want and need. 

References

Lewis, L. Lecture 1: Environment and Behavior. Lecture. 2017, October 19.