Schaeffer et al (1985) showed that one form of architectural design that lowers levels of stress is cubical partitions. This was measured using urinary catecholamine levels.
Wener and Keys (1988) looked at prison modifications and designs for new-generation prisons, which allowed the inmates more privacy more mobility and more personalisation with the hope of improving inmate’s attitudes towards the prison.
B) the first evaluation issues specific to these studies is environmental determinism i.e. saying that the environment causes a certain behaviour. Cox Paulus and McCain have taken this approach when looking at aggression but should be cautious because Bonata in contrast found less conclusive results. measurement should also be considered. Schaeffer use an objective physiological measure of the urine catecholamine level to determine stress making the measure very reliable. in contrast Gilbert (1972) was looking at attitudes which is less accurate subjective measure. This compares with Wener (1988) who was also thinking about attitudes - a subjective measure.
The third evaluation issues Ecological validity. All the above studies have high ecological validity, they are very true to life. The above information was either found in all taken from real prisoners in a real life settings.
The 4th evaluation issue is generalisability. Can the findings be generalised to the rest of the population, is the sample representative? These studies or used large samples of prison inmates and can be generalised to people in other prisons. However there is room for caution as all prisons are very different and have different inmates within them. The date the studies took place could also be considered. Gilbert's study took place in 1972 and is therefore almost 30 years old. This is a problem because modern prison designs have changed and prison populations are higher, meaning that the results cannot be accurately applied in prisons today. In contrast to Gilbert both Wener and Keys and Schaeffer carried out their research in 1988, making it more although not totally up-to-date.
The 6th evaluation issue is Ethnocentrism-are the results relevant to only one culture? The majority of prison studies take place in America and cannot be applied to other cultures as other countries have very different penal systems.
Finally it should be considered whether or not study show cause and effect-can they say the one thing directly caused another. Schaeffer (1988) used a partly experimental design and could say that cubicle partitioning did lower stress. In contrast Cox, Paulus and McCain (1984) used correlational data when looking aggression which compares to Rubach & Carr (1984). The problem with correlational data is that it does not show cause and effect, only a relationship between two variables.
C) Many improvements could be made to today's prison design in order to result in a better environment. Inmate aggression within the prison system is a big problem and factors from the study by Cox, Paulus and McCain (1984) could be taken to try and improve this. Density of our prisons needs to be kept to a reasonable level although it is hard to achieve due to the ever-growing number of people in prisons. Perceived crowding has been found to have a very strong implication on behaviour of the inmates. Designs could the Incorporated up to try and improve psychological perceptions of Crowding, as well as looking at actual density.
Factors from Gilbert, such as various activities in different settings, and Schaeffer such as cubicle partitioning, could all go some way to achieve this. This reduction in density would also help to reduce the level of ill health among inmates. An important issue is the attitudes of inmates towards the prison. Ideas of modification could incorporate Wener and Keys findings. Allowing inmates to have more privacy and the opportunity to personalise cells, may improve the attitudes. For example allowing posters and other personal possessions in the cells may make the inmates feel more at ease and view the prison in a better light. These types of territorial markers would definitely help when looking at privacy, things such as enclosed partitioned toilets and a cover that can be pulled across cell windows would enable them to fill more at ease and allow them to keep their personal space.
