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Cross-Cultural Research Methods

Strategies, Problems, Applications

  • Chapter
Environment and Culture

Part of the book series: Human Behavior and Environment ((HUBE,volume 4))

Abstract

Cross-cultural studies are necessary for the complete development of theories in environmental research since no one culture contains all environmental conditions that can affect human behavior. Likewise, no one country contains all possible types of man-made changes of the physical environment, nor all of the man-made adaptations to natural conditions such as climate, noise, air quality, and potential hazards. In addition, many places in which environmental researchers might be asked to work are in parts of the world where “development” is seen as a necessity or at least a desideratum. These places are often in countries where empirical research is not a well-established entity, hence the necessity for importing advisers from other countries. Although frequently forgotten (Fahvar & Milton, 1972), environmental assessments prepared by such advisers should include analyses of how a development project will affect a culture and even the behavior of people for whom the project was designed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. East-West Center, Culture Learning Institute, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96848, USA

    Richard W. Brislin

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  1. Richard W. Brislin
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

    Irwin Altman

  2. University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

    Amos Rapoport

  3. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA

    Joachim F. Wohlwill

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Brislin, R.W. (1980). Cross-Cultural Research Methods. In: Altman, I., Rapoport, A., Wohlwill, J.F. (eds) Environment and Culture. Human Behavior and Environment, vol 4. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0451-5_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0451-5_3

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