Physical constraints
From Geography
One of the behavioural constraints is the physical constraint. In short a constraint is a issue which prohibits some activities, or makes them just impossible for an individual. But they can be encouraged as well (Norman, 1999). According to Giddens creates a physical constraint very strict limitations to the human being regarding to the capabilities of movement and perception of the human agent (Shilling, 2003). Thus physical constraints make some actions just impossible and are very close related to the life in the physical world. You can’t ignore the physical constraints (Norman, 1999).
Besides human beings use physical constraints while they interact with other individuals. These constraints can be noticed by the body movements of the human beings and have an enormous effect on the viewpoint of the individual (Imai, n.d.).
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Link with the structuration theory
Actions and constraints are more or less determined by structure (Shilling, 2003), an individual has a repertoire of actions to deal with everyday life situations. These routines are ‘fixed-points’ between structure and action. According to Anthony Giddens this phenomenon is called ‘structuration’ and is the basic principle of the structuration theory (Johnston, 2001). In this structuration theory Giddens tries to bridge the crucial gap between voluntarism (the freedom of individuals) and determinism (the constraints of individuals). He does this by seeing both of them as aspects of praxis. For example the face-to-face interaction between individuals (Lippuner, 2009).
In this sense the physical constraints are connected to the determination side of the structuration theory. Human beings doesn’t have their full freedom (voluntarism), but are bounded to certain constraints. Regarding the physical constraint human beings are bound to their own capability of movements, perceptions and actions. They can’t do more than physical possible.
An example of a physical constraint
One of the many examples of a physical constraint is the fact that you can’t drive a car with more than one person. It’s impossible to drive a car with two persons, not just because there’s just one steering wheel. But also because of the perception of the road (where do you want to go?). This is different for every individual, which has the consequence that you will never arrive at the destination.
References
Imai, M., Hiraki, K. and Miyasato, T. (n.d.). Physical constraints on human robot interaction.
Johnston, R.B. (2001). Situated action, structuration and actor-network theory: an integrative theoretical perspective. Global Co-Operation in the New Millenium. The 9th European Conference on Information Systems. Bled, Slovenia, June 27-29.
Lippuner, R. & Werlen, B. (2009) Structuration Theory. In: International Encyclopedia for Human Geography. Elsevier.
Norman, D.A. (1999). Affordance, conventions and design. Interactions. Vol. 6. Issue 3, May/June 1999. P. 38-43.
Shilling, C. (2003). The body and social theory (second edition). London: SAGE Publications Ltd. p. 175.
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Page published by Renate van Haaren, --RenateVanHaaren 10:17, 16 October 2012 (CEST)
