EDAC Environmental Psychology in Healthcare 2

Question 1

The concept of 'psychosocial support' in healthcare design refers to:

Accepted Answer

Spaces and features that facilitate emotional support from family, staff, and peers

Answer

Psychosocial support in design means creating spaces where emotional connections — family rooms, support group areas — are enabled by the environment.

Question 2

What does EBD research indicate about the effect of crowding on patient stress in emergency departments?

Accepted Answer

Perceived crowding significantly increases patient anxiety and dissatisfaction

Answer

Dense, crowded environments trigger threat responses; evidence shows that perceived crowding in EDs elevates patient cortisol and lowers satisfaction scores.

Question 3

Which environmental psychology principle explains why music in healthcare waiting areas can reduce perceived wait times?

Accepted Answer

Positive distraction fills attentional capacity, making time feel shorter

Answer

Positive distractions — music, art, nature views — occupy attention and reduce the subjective experience of wait duration.

Question 4

How does 'legibility' of a healthcare facility floor plan affect patient psychology?

Accepted Answer

A legible layout reduces wayfinding stress by making the building easy to understand and navigate

Answer

When the spatial logic of a building is intuitive, people can orient themselves without anxiety, reducing stress associated with getting lost.

Question 5

In evidence-based design, 'positive distraction' is defined as:

Accepted Answer

Environmental features that draw attention away from pain, fear, or boredom in a pleasurable way

Answer

Positive distractions — aquariums, nature murals, music — occupy patient attention in ways that reduce the subjective experience of pain and anxiety.

EDAC - Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification Practice Test

EDAC - Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification Practice Test

EDAC Environmental Psychology in Healthcare 2