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Responses to Urban Stimuli: A Balanced Approach
Author(s) -
Geller Daniel M.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.1980.tb02037.x
Subject(s) - perception , psychology , adaptation (eye) , social psychology , cognitive psychology , neuroscience
A good deal of recent psychological research on urban behavior has been generated by Milgram's overload model. This model suggests that high levels of urban stimulation overload people, and have negative effects on their perception of the city and responses to others. This paper proposes a more “balanced” approach to urban stimulation which derives largely from the work of Berlyne & Wohlwill. Drawing upon theory and research on optimal level of stimulation and adaptation level, it is proposed that stimuli which are intense, complex and/or novel may lead to positive as well as negative effects; and that this may vary across persons or over time A preliminary research study is presented that confirms the importance of urban complexity as an organizing variable; and suggestions for future research and urban application are offered.