Understanding Normative Theories of Architecture

The models provided by behavioral science research can help clarify normative theories of design by enhancing the authors' understanding of how the attitudes of designers are formulated and become accepted.

Abstract

Architectural theory is generally understood to consist of the ideologies, or normative positions, of individual architects or schools of architectural thought. Most analyses of these positions remain at a descriptive level. The models provided by behavioral science research can help clarify normative theories of design by enhancing our understanding of how the attitudes of designers are formulated and become accepted.