Formal Research

Drawing on seminal psychological, design and technological research texts a lengthily report was compiled. This report synthesized commonalities among the fields of Behavioural psychology, environmental psychology, spatial design, experiential design and imaging technology. In its summation, the report suggested that the three key items below are likely true:

1. In order for a person to experience a strong and emotional connection with a space, the space must meet three requirements:

   1. It must be personalized to their unique tastes

   2. It must be private and secure or provide a sense of security

   3. It must be accessible when needed or wanted most

2. Strong, emotional and repeated spatial experiences, or lack thereof, can shape one’s concept of self and self-identity (especially in one’s formative years as a youth)

3. One’s concept of self and self-identity partially determines that individual’s social capabilities, or lack thereof

The research above essentially suggests that your strong, repeated spatial experiences involving a personalized, secure and accessibleplace—likehome—as a youth, could determine how socially capable you are in adulthood.

Though the findings above may not seem impressive or impactful initially, they allow us to pose interesting questions that then reveal a noteworthy problem.

Assuming that all of the above is true, what are the ramifications of having very few strong spatial experiences with a home-like space? For example, if you’re a foster child who’s moved around a lot as a youth, how are you negativelyimpacted—if at all? Both qualitative and quantitative research would suggest that you may be more likely to develop social shortcomings as an adult.

The Problem

Research suggests that youth and adolescents who don’t have strong and frequent spatial experiences involving their home are more likely to experience social shortcomings in their adult life.