Finalizing My Research Question and Theory of Affordances
Following Thursday's small-group discussion, I have had more clarity regarding my research question and process. With Lily's help, I have permanently landed on a research question"
How can landscape design elements affect play behavior of young adults in main streets?
My method now includes selecting three main streets with varying degrees of "greenness", and performing observational studies to compare how respective greenness may affect playful behavior among young adults. Impacts of my research now also include the possibility of discovering ways to revive the "dying" main street through playful landscape design. I will have to find my main streets, I am open to recommendations!
My theories include:
- Adult play theory
- Ludic design theory
- Landscape design
- Sense of Place
- Theory of Affordances*
*A new theory Lily suggested I look in to is the theory of affordances. I found a helpful article that brought attention to the important contributions of the theory to Sense of Place. Affordances refer to the "possibility for action" provided to an individual by an environment. An example to article provided was what might appear as a mundane curb to an adult can function as a "place to sit, structure to climb on, or challenging edge on which to walk" to a child. Affordances are constructed by direct perception (the individual directly perceiving his/her opportunities for action in an environment) and actualization (the process of complementing environmental opportunities with personal abilities). However, actualization is largely affected by socio-cultural factors and individual characteristics. The theory of affordances I think is relevant in my research by observing how and where landscape design in main streets provides these opportunities for action (affordances), and/or how main streets may lack these affordances. But, it is important to understand that just because there is an opportunity for an action, does not mean an individual will take it, due to personal and socio-cultural factors.
To continue with my research, I need to better categorize the types of adult play I am looking for. Play is often defined as "an activity that is: enjoyable, intrinsically-motivated, spontaneous, involves a focus on the process of the activity rather than the end goals related to the activity, requires a suspension of self-consciousness, or involves a non-serious approach". In another article researching Ludic Pedestrian Motivators, it details some different forms of play, and perhaps this graphic is what I should be looking for in my observations.
Hi Avery! I really like the way your project has transformed from the start of the semester! I remember meeting in a small group with Lily very early on together with some others. From memory I do not recall you having the play element in the inquiry, to say the least, it is a great add in my opinion (coming from the person studying sandbox play lol). Anyways, I am assuming that you are doing this observation in the Fayetteville area? If so maybe you would have some time to travel to nearby locations in the northwest region as I think Bentonville, Springdale, and other cities surrounding will provide a wide range of the 'greenness' present you are desiring. Some initial suggestions that come to my mind are Dickson street, and Emma Avenue in Springdale. I am curious what some qualifiers might be for these specific locations, and are they based on some sources you have found or maybe even previous studies that have a method similar to this, there's got to be something out there that could really help inform your process creation I would think! Great work!
ReplyDeleteHi Avery, nice work this week! You have a great list of theories and strong research question that is touches on an important design, economic, and social issue. One final, minor tweak you might consider to your research question is asking, "How might landscape design (elements) support play behavior of young adults on main streets?" For your prospectus make sure you can describe play theory in your own words as much as possible. Look for articles specifically about adult play, especially outdoor play. Again, this is where you should start incorporating terms like recreation and leisure. I would still like to see your theory map, or whatever version of a graphic you'd like to use to explain the framework of your research project.
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