Control Theory

 "I believe that the way people live can be directed a little by architecture" -Tadao Ando

 Humans are constantly looking for a sense of control. If we lack control, we become anxious and uneasy. This is why it is crucial for designers to take control theories into consideration when designing. Having a sense of control can lead to a healthier state of mind and lifestyle. Averill explains that we have three different types of control: behavioral, cognitive, and decisional.

Behavioral
Behavioral control is the ability to change what is happening in the environment around you. This means that humans have the ability to fight or flight in any situation. Say you walk into a crowded bar that you expected to be empty. You'll become overstimulated and will leave immediately. You decided to leave which allows you to return to a calm and controlled state.

Hand Sketch by Me

Cognitive
Cognitive control is the power to change the way that we perceive the environment. You've probably heard of the saying, "it's all in your head". Well, that's because it is. How we perceive things is based on past experiences, culture, and personal preferences. That is why two people will have different stories for the exact same event. It's all about perception. One way to have control over an environment is to be able to perceive it in a different way. Let's go back to the bar example. You walk in expecting it to be empty, but there's people everywhere. Your first response is to go. However, this bar is your favorite in town and you were really looking forward to being there. You might feel overwhelmed at first, but then you tell yourself "it's not THAT bad", and you stay. You changed the feeling of being overwhelmed to being at ease.

Photo Taken by Me at a Concert in a Bar

Decisional
Decisional control is the ability to chose how you respond to something. This is when you determine if you should fight or flee. In the case of the bar situation, you have two choices: to stay or go. Being able to decide what you can do gives one peace. You no longer feel trapped or that you're being controlled.

In conclusion, having control over your life is crucial to happiness. Designers need to give the end user as much control as possible in a space. This will reduce anxiety and will improve overall health. Having a sense of control can make a huge difference in someone's life.

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Reference:
Bethel, R, B. (1997) Environment and Behavior: An Introduction. Sage.