Sommer and Sommer

Sommer, Robert and Barbara Sommer. A Practical Guide to Behavioral Research Tools and Techniques. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.

 

The chapter in the Sommer and Sommer book, on mapping and trace measures, provided both useful and informative research observations. When mapping out areas based on human usage, the most accurate information is not attained all in the same day. In order to get the most accurate information possible, one must research an area at different times through different parts of the week. An observation done at 8:00 on a Monday morning should be redone at say, 2:30 on a Thursday afternoon. This will almost guarantee that different people will be around and different activities will be occurring.

Place-cantered maps and Individual-centered maps provide two different means of research. Place-centered research is to be done using a map and scoring symbols. These symbols allow the researcher a code for their results. The research is spread out among more than one target and is based primarily on location and use. Individual-centered mapping is more directly tied to an individual and their activates throughout the day. It is stated that attaining an individuals trust is key in this procedure, by limiting observations and note taking on the first few days of contact. This research, all though becomes informative, also becomes one sided as you really only see one persons activities in a giving space. Because of this, I feel that overall, the method of place-centered maps is much more accurate as it doesn’t limit the data in a bias manor. Only observing one person becomes much too limited not proving accurate results.

Cognitive maps, as we have discussed before, are another great source of research when trying to understand the usage in a space. The way these maps are constructed, a researcher is able to see the differences in the individual’s interpretation and begin to understand the way a place is seen and used. This can be related back to the horseshoe pit that I was writing about in the sense that everyone in the space will have a different idea of what the pits really are. The emotional or cultural feeling within the pits may give each user a different feel while occupying the space, making them remember it in a different way when asked to diagram the space on paper.

Finally, Sommer and Sommer discussed different methods of trace measures. Trace measures simply means using your ability to read the landscape and being able to decipher what things such as graffiti, or worn out floors mean. When human observations aren’t permitted, trace measures are to me, only sometimes an acceptable alternative. Although many signs are clear, such as the gang membership logos as well as certain symbolic numbers, there are many exceptions that can alter these results. As stated in the end of the chapter, leaking water, and not overuse could have caused things like a worn out floor at a water fountain.

I was very intrigued by this part of the chapter when they wrote about the California forester that discovered the long lost Indian settlement. Just by simple observations of a place, he was able to tell what the previous use of it was for. The location was vital for fishing and had large oak trees that could have been used as a canopy. After scaling the property, he found writing and artifacts from a long gone Indian settlement. This is interesting the way that the open forest was interpreted and in result, lead to the discovery of a piece of history.

Overall I think this chapter will be good in helping me do my research. Although different times of day aren’t really an issue in my paper, these methods of study will be. I

have learned that I should interview people from different backgrounds, different places and different genders. This will allow me a large spread on information making my paper as accurate as it can possibly be. 

Research Plan

Research Statement and Plan

 

The refined topic of my research paper is to look at the effects moving from the suburbs to the city has on young adults. Many individuals move out of their hometowns and into larger cities to pursue dreams of school and work. This change in environment is life altering and has a great effect on ones self image and feeling of involvement. The focus of my study will be on these young adults that come from all over the country for one reason or another. They may be moving into a college dorm, a new house or a high-rise apartment. I will be studying the ages between 18 and 30, both male and female. Studies will be conducted through research and interviews and will be interpreted individually to reduce stereotyping.

 

Questions in the interviews will include but are not limited to:

1. Where did you grow up, and how long have you lived there?
2. How old are you?
3. What is your occupation / concentration in school?
4. Why did you want to move to a bigger city?
5. Do you feel you belong to a group more in the city or in the suburbs?
6. Do you feel grounded in the city?
7. Where do you see yourself living in five years from now?

 

Other questions:

1. Do these experiences differ between male and female
2. Do these experiences differ between career and school (age)
3. Previous lifestyles affect bias opinions.

Bibliography

1. Altman, Irwan and Setha M. Low, ed. Human Behavior and Environment Advances in Theory and Research Volume 12: Place Attachment. New York: Plenum Press, 1992.
1. This book goes into detail about the individuals environment and the effects it has on ones self image. It discusses such issues as; attachment to landscape, place attachment, memories, culture, and demographics. The book will he helpful in understand the backgrounds of individuals and the way they see a space.
2. Helmer, John and Neil A. Eddington. Urbanman, The Psychology of Urban Survival. New York: The Free Press, 1973
1. This book is directed towards understanding the different characteristics of the city and the way they shape the individual user. The city is an unpredictable place and it goes into detail about this and the effects that it has on the “urbanman.” Some of the key discussions in the book include lack of interventions between city dwellers and mental health.
3. Milgram, Stanley. “The Experience of Living in Cities. Adaptations to urban overload create characteristics qualities of city life that can be measured.” Science, (70 Mar)
1. This journal entry discusses the differences between people that live in the city and the suburbs. It is proven the city dwellers are much more independent and not willing to help others. Items such as roll behavior, cognitive capacities, atmosphere and behavior are all discussed in terms of city and suburbs.
4. Proshansky, et.al. H. “Place Identity: Physical World Socialization of the Self.” Journal of Environmental Psychology, no 3: 57-83
1. This article discusses both place-identity and self-identity. It compares the differences between New York City and suburban lifestyles. It also discusses cognitive mapping and the different variables in it relating to place.
5. Sanders, Scott Russell. Staying Put. Making A Home In A Restless World. Boston, MA. Beacon Press, 1993. 19-36
1. This article is about a family that moves out of the city because they can’t find peace in the city. They purchased a house in the suburbs and finally found peace and enjoyment in their living environment.
6. Tuan, Yi-Fu. Cosmos & Hearth, a cosmopolite’s viewpoint. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1996.

Research Topic

The topic for my research paper is to look at the effects that moving away from home into a college dorm room has on a young adults sense of self-image. More specifically, I would like to look into the scenario of moving from the suburbs to the urban surround. I think this would be an interesting study because this in my opinion is one of the hardest transformations a person can go through. Not only are you moving away from your friends and family, but you are also leaving the slow paced life of your past. The city is much more active and dangerous, causing many students anxiety and stress for their first year of college. College is stressful enough; moving to a new area, making new friends, sharing a room with someone you don’t know, and resisting the temptation of peer pressure. Studying these factors and adding in the ideas of self-identity due to the home will allow for a successful study in relation to the high school to college transition.

 

Items to consider:

• The study of Suburban spaces
• The study of Urban spaces
• Single family homes
• High-rise apartment buildings
• Media influences
• Needs for privacy
• Self-Identity (Decorations)
• Roommates

 

 

The article by Clare Cooper, The house as a Symbol of the Self, is by far my favorite article we have read this semester. The article goes into a detailed description of the way that we as individuals see our houses as who we are. Cooper discusses how most Americans feel that a high-rise apartment isn’t truly a house because you’re not grounded in a single-family dwelling. The house becomes the protector of ones internal environment and helps to identify who we are as individuals. Although discussing a mobile home, Cooper writes about anyone that lives in a house that moves, probably feels as unstable as the structure they inhabit. I feel this can be related back to the concept of the high-rise apartment buildings saying that those that don’t own their own piece of earth may not feel as grounded as those that do.

In the article, Cooper also discussed different means of decorations and how we portray ourselves to others by how we decorate. She discusses the ways that decorations are placed around the home and how bedrooms are often times more decorated than shared living rooms. Also written in the article, is an explanation of the ways houses are designed in relating to entrance and focal points. Having a single family home or an apartment building are two totally different things making these very important spaces not as important.

I feel this article will give me a good start on my paper because it discusses the differences in building types and the way most people feel about them. Although not the same, the dorm and the high-rise apartment building are quite similar in a sense that you aren’t grounded and you share a lot of space. When moving out of the single family home, your privacy, freedom, and overall self-image must completely change. Although most of us don’t own our homes (our parents do) there is still a small sense of ownership I in our rooms, yards and known neighborhoods. The biggest change I will be looking at is students that are going from a quiet suburban home to an urban dorm room. Media hypes up college and portray an image of what we all think the ideal situations are. However, once we move in we realize it isn’t as perfect as we thought it would be. As Cooper discusses, privacy is impacted in the new situations as well as the freedom to decorate your own home. You now share a space and must respect your other roommates. You eventually learn to adapt to these environments but I am unsure if you are every completely happy until you move out and back to a location you feel completely comfortable in. For me, that’s a single-family house out in the country. 

Power

Power, although not exerted regularly, is always present at the pits. Much similar to my last entry, those that attend the games on Friday’s know where they are and know how to respect their environment. As I wrote previously, we have no real rules, just unspoken house rules. If the pits were located at a public facility, similar to that of the YMCA or even a national park there would be more rules that were dictated by the ‘authority figures.’ However, we don’t have that. It’s simple back yard shoes where everyone whether it be conscious or not, knows they need to respect their peers. We play fair, keep the noise at a reasonable level for the rest of the neighbors, and know better than to leave empty ‘soda’ cans laying around for someone else to clean up. If you litter, we tell you, and you pick it up. I remember one time, probably back about three months now; there was a slight argument at one of the gatherings. A BU student and a Wentworth student started arguing about an interference in the game. We let the argument progress for a few moments until one of their mutual friends stepped in. It was just a bad call made by one of the players and the third person was able to settle the argument. This was the closest we’ve ever come to having a problem here and hopefully was the last. We’re planning on having a Halloween get together at the pits this Friday of 80-100 people. Hopefully we can keep this track record and everyone will have a good time.

 

When it comes to discussing cultural aspects of the pits, I think it can create an interesting booklet of information. Because there is no distinct culture in the woods, everyone brings their own ideas of what it should be. This is even more elevated when you put this into context of who uses the pits; all college and post college students. This means simply, that most everyone has come from a different upbringing, and a different location and we are all merged into one area. Although these students meet almost daily in the same classrooms, or nightly at the same local pubs, their individual cultural differences aren’t as apparent as they are in the pits. Society has taught us to act a certain way in these locations not only to fit in, but also to be respectful of the others around us. As soon as the variable of a monitored space is expelled, each individual has the opportunity to show his or her true side.

 

Nature also has the ability to do this to us. Many of the kids that come over grew up in small towns spread out along the east coast. Although different, they all have similar roots in the country and hanging around outside. However, as soon as it became time to go to college, they decided they wanted to try something new and moved into the big city of Boston. This was great for a while, but then everyone started to realize that they really did miss where they came from. It’s funny because just this Friday, I overheard a conversation between two BU students that said that playing shoes here is like being back home on summer break playing beach volleyball at the local pond. It’s not quite the same sport by any means, but I guess it’s the atmosphere and culture that takes people back. There are a few exceptions to this as a few of our friends grew up in or around Boston. It is extremely fascinating watching them interact with others in this environment.

 

Those that were born and raised in a city have a much different idea of freedom and safety than those of us that grew up in the country. The city dwellers are more into the fast pace life of the city streets. When taking out of this context it seems they get uncomfortable and antsy to get out. These are the people that tend to leave early and stay a far distance away from everyone else. Everyone has a different range in which they don’t mind someone in their personal space. I find that these city dwellers have a much closer range when taking out of their natural culture and put into a more suburban situation. On a good night the pits will have members of many different cultures and it becomes a fascinating location to study and understand the way we interact in a non-controlled environment.

 

The landscape in the pits, although may appear to be natural, is anything but that when it comes down to it. It was pre-meditated and sculpted to fit into the exact location it is in. It feels natural, and it looks natural, however it is no doubtable part of the beta landscape. The grass is trimmed and the pits are kept clean. It is part of our neighbor’s house and it is their self-image when people come over. If the pits were neglected and overgrown they would never get used. The up-keep and the conscious layout of the area are well done and makes for an attractive environment every week…

Membership

It’s Sunday again, but today I couldn’t play shoes. I stayed up late watching the Red Sox win last night and did homework until about 1:00 AM. I got back up at 7:30 to keep doing homework, but I had to leave at noon to go to a wake. I observed the pits from my window when I got home this evening, the sun was going down and they were covered in orange and red leaves. It was like a ghost town outside though. No one was around. Not even on the streets, just some Halloween decorations and a lot of closed up houses trying to keep some heat in. It’s getting pretty cold outside so people are starting to close up their houses for the winter. Although this is one of my favorite times of the year, it is really depressing when you have to close down the windows at night because its too cold to keep them open. I love the foliage though; being from New Hampshire, I am used to the amazing colors every fall.

 

Because of the size of the horseshoe pits as well as the picnic table, the area can become very crowded. Today of course it wasn’t, but I was able to visualize some of those busy days. You know in movies when they have flashbacks and you can see yourself doing something? Well that’s kind of how today was for me. I just over looked the pits and thought about some of the good times that have happened there. The best times are when you can’t even move around the picnic table and there’s not a seat to be found. There is almost never anyone over the age of 26 or 27 at the pits, so we’re all kind of used to being crowded. Besides, we spent most of our college days in bars jammed in as tight as they can get us. While over looking the pits I visualized last Thursday. For some reason, I came home and there were about 25 people hanging out in the pits. I came inside, changed and went out to hop right in with my shoe partner. We both threw an amazing game with 3 ringers and a couple leaners. This was a really good day for us and it was nice to reminisce about it.

 

But today is something different, just sitting inside, looking across the driveway into the neighbor’s back yard. There were no groups of people, no conversations, no laughter… just a cool fall breeze whistling through the trees above. When the pits become active, its amazing how different groups of people both separate and converge together. Normally at the start of the evening, groups of friends separate. It’s an unspoken separation but from a bystander’s point of view, it’s quite amazing. The players normally gather on the grass next to the pits while the ones that come for the social experience sit on the table. It’s not broken up like a traditional crowd of young people, however, broken up more by colleges. It seems each college has its click that comes to hang out, the BC kids, BU, Wentworth, BAC… They all choose their location and claim their ground. It’s an unspoken agreement that you don’t take over another schools location. Whether it is at the table, or beside it, claimed territory is unspoken. Later on into the night this always seems to change. As the games go on, the groups mingle together and form one big society.

 

Anyone is free to bring friends to the pits, but becoming a member of our group takes more than just knowing someone else. We don’t have many rules here but we have no place for cheaters or showoffs. At the pits, it’s all business all the time. We have fun, don’t get me wrong, but we like to have a good honest time. As long as you’re fair and fun, we have no issues with you. Just don’t do anything stupid or you wont be invited back. Although this sounds harsh, it hasn’t had to happen yet. The unspoken rules of the pit are respected by all, which makes for a pleasant gathering every time. Hopefully we have a good group this Friday, I fear that there aren’t many days left this year to play shoes and pretty soon we’ll be doing more indoor activities as the weather gets too cold to spend an evening outdoors. 

I thought I should add an image of this stair case I've been discussing the past few weeks. It's evident that you need to be careful on it and its not a place you want to be lackadaisical.