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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Environmental coping in a public setting

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This study investigated several facets of the environmental coping process. Environmental coping was defined as any behavioral or cognitive attempt to reduce annoyance resulting from bothersome environmental conditions. In this study, library patrons using study carrels were observed while two people talked nearby. The library patron's behaviors in response to this event were recorded. In addition, self-report data were collected by means of follow-up questionnaires. Drawing on the literature from areas of research such as environmental stress, the coping process, and the effects of perceived control, four hypotheses were proposed. In summary, these hypotheses proposed that people would attempt to deal with the intrusion created by others talking nearby through indirect means first, and that people would attempt to"make do" (satisfice) rather than exert control over environmental events (optimize). Due to methodological difficulties, no definite conclusions could be drawn. Suggestions for methodological refinement in this area of research were offered and conceptual issues discussed.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
M.S.
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Psychology
Department dc:contributor.department
Psychology
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Year dc:date.issued
1983

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Conn, Michael Kevin

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en_US

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/10919/94440
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/94440

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Conn, Michael Kevin. Environmental coping in a public setting. masters thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1983. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/94440