Abstract
Type: Poster
Category/Strand: General
Title: Environmental and Contextual Features that are Relevant to Adult Drinking Behaviour: A Non-Participant Observational Study in Licensed Premises
Authors and place of work/study: Hill, K.M., Pilling, M. & Foxcroft, D.R, Oxford Brookes University
Abstract Body:
Objectives: How useful is the affordance concept for assessment of the functional characteristics of environments where alcohol drinking takes place?
Design: Social cognition models typically specify intentions as an important antecedent of behaviour. However, intentions are a fairly poor predictor of behaviour and behaviour change. An embodied, embedded approach to cognition explains behaviour in terms of the transactions that occur between organisms and their environment. Meaning exists in the interdependence of an organism and its environment, as suggested by Gibson’s affordance concept. This study used a non-participant observation design to assess the functional characteristics of drinking environments in terms of potential affordances for action.
Methods: Seven different UK licensed premises were visited by the researcher. During the visit, the researcher made notes about the setting and objects in the setting. These notes were subsequently analysed and different types of potential affordances were identified and categorised, with a particular focus on potential affordances for drinking behaviour. From this analysis, a plan of each setting was drawn, alongside a narrative account, to illustrate how the functional characteristics of different settings were organised.
Results: This research highlighted potential affordances that would promote or inhibit alcohol consumption. These potential affordances related to: the size of drinks containers, promotions, noise levels and sales techniques. In so-called “vertical drinking establishments”, potential affordances related to limited seating and the lack of tables for patrons to rest upon.
Conclusions: A non-participant observation method is a useful approach to assessing potential affordances for heavier drinking in licensed premises.
Category/Strand: General
Title: Environmental and Contextual Features that are Relevant to Adult Drinking Behaviour: A Non-Participant Observational Study in Licensed Premises
Authors and place of work/study: Hill, K.M., Pilling, M. & Foxcroft, D.R, Oxford Brookes University
Abstract Body:
Objectives: How useful is the affordance concept for assessment of the functional characteristics of environments where alcohol drinking takes place?
Design: Social cognition models typically specify intentions as an important antecedent of behaviour. However, intentions are a fairly poor predictor of behaviour and behaviour change. An embodied, embedded approach to cognition explains behaviour in terms of the transactions that occur between organisms and their environment. Meaning exists in the interdependence of an organism and its environment, as suggested by Gibson’s affordance concept. This study used a non-participant observation design to assess the functional characteristics of drinking environments in terms of potential affordances for action.
Methods: Seven different UK licensed premises were visited by the researcher. During the visit, the researcher made notes about the setting and objects in the setting. These notes were subsequently analysed and different types of potential affordances were identified and categorised, with a particular focus on potential affordances for drinking behaviour. From this analysis, a plan of each setting was drawn, alongside a narrative account, to illustrate how the functional characteristics of different settings were organised.
Results: This research highlighted potential affordances that would promote or inhibit alcohol consumption. These potential affordances related to: the size of drinks containers, promotions, noise levels and sales techniques. In so-called “vertical drinking establishments”, potential affordances related to limited seating and the lack of tables for patrons to rest upon.
Conclusions: A non-participant observation method is a useful approach to assessing potential affordances for heavier drinking in licensed premises.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - Apr 2013 |
| Event | The British Psychological Society's Annual General Conference, Harrogate - Duration: 3 Apr 2013 → … |
Conference
| Conference | The British Psychological Society's Annual General Conference, Harrogate |
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| Period | 3/04/13 → … |