Free Health Dissertations - For Example, An Unfavourable Sensory Environment, Such As A Noisy Office,
For example, an unfavourable sensory environment, such as a noisy office, high room temperature, or heightened cultural sensitiveness, can negate successful resolution of the problem. The role of the environment and culture are discussed next.
Environmental Factors
Sensory environment
This concerns the level of stimulation emanating from an environment, such as temperature, noise, and distractions (e.g. Hancock & Vasmatzidis, 1998). The meeting was conducted in my office. This environment was well illuminated with moderate room temperature. I normally make a point of shutting the windows, which are double glazed, to minimise traffic and other noises that may filter in from outside. Additionally, any activity outside is not usually visible because the windows are located close to the ceiling, so that one has to stand up fully to see outside. Within the room itself there are few visual distractions - bookshelves, cabinets etc. When the assistant arrived discussions began immediately. The door was shut and the generally calm surroundings seemed to help her relax. Survivability is considered the primary sensory consideration to most people who enter into an environment (Rodahl, 2002). I suspect the assistant felt that room conditions (temperature, noise, distractions) were entirely 'survivable', and ultimately this facilitated a relaxed conversation. Any distractions during the meeting would have been highly unwelcome especially while I was in the process of making a sensitive point.
Physical environment
This refers to the nature of the physical and structural surroundings (Chapparo & Ranka, 1997). For example the physical characteristics of an office setting would include the size and general design of the room, windows, furniture and doorways. My office was a rather small and sparsely furnished room measuring about 700 x 500 centimetres (7 x 5 metres). The high location of the windows resembles a prison cell and hence may create a sense of isolation and 'entrapment'. At face value the physical environment had little if any effect on the proceedings - the assistant had been to this office on numerous occasions and hence was very familiar with the layout. The office walls are a light shade of green and some research suggests that lighter colour shades may improve a persons mood (Barrick et al, 2000; Clara et al, 2001), and hence perhaps their receptivity to compromise and reconciliation.
Social environment
This denotes the social milieu or network of social interactions that characterise a given environment. Pressures from significant others, notably friends, family and co-workers may all exert a considerable influence on task performance (Ajzen, 1991; Shah, 2003).
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