Work Places
The Psychology of the Physical Environment in Offices and Factories

Discusses the research and theory concerning the physical surroundings that affect people in offices and factories.

Eric Sundstrom (Author), Mary Graehl Sundstrom (Author)

9780521319478, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 28 February 1986

480 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.7 cm, 0.7 kg

How do the physical surroundings affect people who work in offices and factories? Work Places attempts to answer this question by summarising the psychological and social influences of work settings. Environmental psychologist Eric Sundstrom, in collaboration with Mary Graehl Sundstrom, discusses research and theory concerning individual satisfaction and performance, interpersonal relationships, group cohesion and organisational effectiveness. Separate chapters address the physical aspects of the environment - temperature and air quality, lighting and windows, noise, music, colour and workstations - the symbolic aspects of the work environment - status and self-identity - and issues of communication, privacy, small groups and the organisation as a whole. Work Places offers the reader an integration of research, theory and history. Professionals and students in psychology, management, architecture and environmental design will find it informative, interesting and readable.

Series forward
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
Part I. The Past: 2. Historical view of offices and factories
3. Psychology of the work place
Part II. The Individual Worker: 4. Psychological processes
5. Lighting and windows
6. Temperature and air
7. Noise
8. Music
9. Colour
10. Work stations and supporting facilities
Part III. Interpersonal Relations: 11. Symbolic workspace: self-identity and status
12. Communication
13. Privacy
14. Small groups
Part IV. Organisations: 15. Office and factories as components of organisations
Part V. The Future: 16. The future of offices and factories
17. Conclusions
References
Indexes.

Subject Areas: Occupational & industrial psychology [JMJ]