Modifying Factors: Culture
The Evidence from Standards
Standards are formalized values and attitudes
Sources of cultural variability
reflection of world views and ideologies - what's important, what isn't
different activities reflecting differences in customs, e.g. sitting, sleeping
different attitudes about acceptable conditions, e.g. crowding, privacy, cleanliness, odors, comfort
genetic differences/nutritional differences, e.g. size, weight, etc.
different economies and available technologies
Examples:
Activities and products included in standards
meditation positions
bidets
cleaning
type of storage
Furniture types and sizes:
dining table
bed size
Space standards (anthropometrics)
hygiene
stairs - flights up, dimensions
storage
Perception
noise control
thermal comfort
natural light and ventilation
illumination
The Evidence from Perception Studies:
Sensory Screen of Geography
experience is really experience as perceived through a sensory screen
nativist vs. empiricist argument (from perception file)
cross cultural comparisons of perception demonstrate how environment has an impact on perception
different cultures inhabit different sensory worlds
Cognitive Screen
The influence of culture on perception goes beyond the geographical environment associated with a culture
The way we select and screen information - what we think is important - is based on "character" of culture - world view, economic systems, etc.
The senses are the tools we use to obtain messages from the world around us - they provide baseline information.
Our culture gives us an orientation to that baseline information
what to pay attention to
what to ignore
what is evaluated positively/negatively
Example: Toilet Rooms
Japanese Toilet Designs - High End
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