Conceptualizations of human environments

In environmental psychology knowledge is sought about how the molar environment is related to behaviour. Conceptualizing and measuring the physical environment therefore become of paramount importance. In this introduction to the special issue on conceptualizations of human environments, such empirically and theoretically derived conceptualizations are first briefly reviewed from a historical perspective providing a background to questions concerning future prospects. The review is then followed by a summary of the articles included in the special issue which raises several important such questions, concerning gaps of knowledge in need of being filled, concerning the possibility to learn from integrating knowledge in different areas, and concerning new challenges in the future. (C) 1998 Academic Press.