Influences on Housing

Choice & Behaviors

Human Ecology Model
Natural Environment

Social-Cultural
Environment

Built
Environment

Self
 Meets Needs
Needs can be ranked in order of their
importance

Primary needs are physical in nature & have

priority

Secondary needs are largely psychological

or social—important for quality of life
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Self-
actualization

Self Esteem Needs

Sense of Belonging

Security and Safety Needs

Physiological Needs
Human Ecology and Housing Needs
Natural Environment

Social-Cultural
Environment

N rom
ee
f

d ma
Built

fo n
rp &
Environment

ro na
te tu
ct re
io

ot c se or
ne r f
n

ed e o o
ro la en d f
a Nee

ss
p s
Need for wholesome Need for
self-concept Self creative outlet

n
ul nd
io
at
tim l a

N v
ee a
l s ia
ca oc

d lue
Need to relate

to s
gi s
lo for

to others

fu
lfi
ho d

ll
yc ee
ps N
 Conceptual Framework for Influences
on Housing Choice

Household Type
Age
Type
Size
Stage in life cycle
Housing Norms
Life Style
Tenure
Social Class
Cultural Space Housing
Education orientation Structure Choice
Income
Generational Quality
Occupation
differences Neighborhood / Location
Expenditure
Housing Values
 Housing Choice
 Household Characteristics

 Age
 Type
 Size
 Stage in life cycle
 Social Class

 Income
 Occupation
 Education
 Housing Values

• Economy
• Family
• Personal
• Social prestige
 Values
 Represent person’s beliefs about life &
acceptable behavior
 Transcend situations or events & are
enduring because they are central in
personality structure
 Rokeach Value Survey
 Lifestyle

 Cultural orientation

 Generational differences
 Housing Norms

 Tenure
 Space
 Structure type
 Quality
 Neighborhood/Location
 Expenditures
 Behaviors in the Home Environment

Spatial Relationships

 Proximics
• Intimate
• Personal
• Social
• Public
 Personal space
 Seating
 Privacy
 Crowding
 Sociofugal & sociopetal arrangements
 Territoriality