EDAC Environmental Psychology in Healthcare 3

Question 1

Which aspect of environmental psychology is most directly addressed by providing patients with control over room temperature?

Accepted Answer

Perceived control, which reduces psychological stress and improves coping

Answer

Thermoregulation, which speeds metabolic recovery

Answer

Privacy, which reduces embarrassment during examinations

Answer

Safety, by preventing hypothermia in post-operative patients

Question 2

How does 'territoriality' affect patient behavior in shared healthcare rooms?

Accepted Answer

Patients in shared rooms experience reduced sense of personal space, increasing stress and reducing privacy-related compliance

Answer

Patients claim shared spaces, improving social bonding with roommates

Answer

Territorial behavior increases hand hygiene compliance in shared bathrooms

Answer

Patients in shared rooms demonstrate stronger therapy participation

Question 3

EBD research on sensory overload in ICUs suggests that design should prioritize:

Accepted Answer

Reducing auditory and visual stimuli to levels that support rather than disrupt patient recovery

Answer

Maximizing sensory input to prevent patient boredom during long ICU stays

Answer

Installing multiple monitors at eye level so patients can track their own vitals

Answer

Brightening ICU environments to prevent patients from sleeping during the day

Question 4

What does the 'stress response model' (Ulrich, 1991) predict about healthcare environments?

Accepted Answer

Restorative environments activate parasympathetic responses that reduce stress and support immunity

Answer

Stressful environments motivate patients to recover faster to leave sooner

Answer

Medical technology overrides environmental stressors in determining outcomes

Answer

Staff emotional state is the dominant predictor of patient stress, not physical environment

Question 5

According to EBD principles, why are curved rather than angular corridors sometimes preferred in psychiatric and dementia units?

Accepted Answer

Curved pathways feel less institutional, reduce aggression, and encourage wandering-safe movement

Answer

Curves are required by ADA standards for mobility device turning radius

Answer

Angular corridors create shadows that confuse disoriented patients

Answer

Curved corridors reduce construction costs by eliminating corner framing

Question 6

How does the concept of 'social support' factor into EBD as a design variable?

Accepted Answer

Spaces designed for family and peer interaction provide emotional resources that directly affect patient outcomes

Answer

Social support is a staff management variable unrelated to facility design

Answer

Social areas are designed exclusively to improve visitor satisfaction scores

Answer

Design for social support primarily targets physician-to-physician communication