The development of a field or an area of inquiry is often marked by changes in measurement techniques, shifts in analytic emphasis, and disputes over the best ways of doing research. In many areas of psychology, a number of issues have characterized methodological evolution of the discipline, including questions regarding context and reductionism, or laboratory versus field research. For some of the newer areas in psychology, such as environment or health psychology, this is not an issue of either/or. Although there has been some debate about these trade-offs, it is generally regarded by people in this field that some combination of the two approaches is essential. Depending on the question being studied this balance may change. However, the questions asked are less likely to inquire ‘which way is better’ and concentrate on how both may be used. This observation serves to illustrate the fact that different research endeavours have different methodological issues. Originally published in 1985, this volume explores some of the issues characterizing work on health, environment, and behavior.

The development of a field or an area of inquiry is often marked by changes in measurement techniques, shifts in analytic emphasis, and disputes over the best ways of doing research. In many areas of psychology, a number of issues have characterized methodological evolution of the discipline, including questions regarding context and reductionism, or laboratory versus field research. For some of the newer areas in psychology, such as environment or health psychology, this is not an issue of either/or. Although there has been some debate about these trade-offs, it is generally regarded by people in this field that some combination of the two approaches is essential. Depending on the question being studied this balance may change. However, the questions asked are less likely to inquire 'which way is better' and concentrate on how both may be used. This observation serves to illustrate the fact that different research endeavours have different methodological issues. Originally published in 1985, this volume explores some of the issues characterizing work on health, environment, and behavior.

How do people manage their environments? What processes are basic to the interactions between people and their environments? These questions are central to almost all areas of psychology but in a more narrow sense are the heart of environmental psychology. Some environmental studies focus on the antecedents of person-environment interactions, others on the effects of the environment on the individual, and others on outcomes. Still others focus on the processes by which people attempt to manipulate their surroundings. This volume, the second in a series, is concerned with one of these processes - control, actual and perceived, that individuals exercise over their environment.

How do people manage their environments? What processes are basic to the interactions between people and their environments? These questions are central to almost all areas of psychology but in a more narrow sense are the heart of environmental psychology. Some environmental studies focus on the antecedents of person-environment interactions, others on the effects of the environment on the individual, and others on outcomes. Still others focus on the processes by which people attempt to manipulate their surroundings. This volume, the second in a series, is concerned with one of these processes - control, actual and perceived, that individuals exercise over their environment.