The Life Space[edit]
The idea that an individual's behavior, at any time, is manifested only within the coexisting factors of the current "life space" or "psychological field" So a life space is the combination of all the factors that influences a person's behavior at any time. Therefore, behavior can be expressed as a function of the life space B=ƒ(LS). Furthermore, the interaction of the person (P), and the environment (E) produces this life space. In symbolic expression, B=ƒ(LS)=F(P,E).[6] An example of a more complex life-space concept is the idea that two people's experience of a situation can become one when they converse together. This does not happen if the two people do not interact with each other, such as being in the same room but not talking to each other. This combined space can be "built" up as the two people share more ideas and create a more complex life-space together.[7]
Environment[edit]
The environment as demonstrated in the life space, refers to the objective situation in which the person perceives and acts. The life space environment (E) is completely subjective within each context as it depends not only on the objective situation, but also on the characteristics of the person (P).[6] It is necessary to consider all aspects of a person's conscious and unconscious environment in order to map out the person's life space.[1] The combined state, influenced by the environment as well as the person's perspective, conscious, and unconscious, must be viewed as a whole. While each part can be viewed as a separate entity, to observe the totality of the situation one must take all inputs into consideration.[1]
Person[edit]
Lewin applied the term person in three different ways.
Properties/characteristics of the individual. (needs, beliefs, values, abilities)
A way of representing essentially the same psychological facts of "life space" itself.
"The behaving self".[6]
"The behaving self may be seen as the individual's perception of his relations to the environment he perceives."[6]
The development of the person inevitably affects the life space. As a person undergoes changes with their body or their image of themselves changes, this can cause an instability in the region of life space. Additionally, An instability in the psychological environment or life space can lead to the instability of the person.[8]
Behavior[edit]
Any change within the life space subject to psychological laws. Accordingly, an action of the person (P) nor a change in the environment (E) resulting from said action, can be considered behavior (B).[6] These behaviors can make large or small influences on the totality of the life space. Regardless, they must be taken into consideration. Field theory holds that behavior must be derived from a totality of coexisting facts. These coexisting facts make up a "dynamic field[9]", which means that the state of any part of the field depends on every other part of it. This not only includes both mental and physical fields, but also unseen forces such as magnetism and gravity. This can be elaborated by imagining the difference that a force can make by acting from a distance. When considering something such as the Moon's influence on the Earth, it is clear that there is an impact even though it acts from a large distance away.[2] Behavior depends on the present field rather than on the past or the future.
Development also plays a major role in life space behavior. From the beginning of one's life behavior is molded in all respects to his or her social situation. This of course brings up the sociological discussion of Nature versus Nurture. Experimental psychology studies have shown the formation of aspiration, the driving factor of actions and expressions (behavior), is directly influenced by the presence or absence of certain individuals within one's life space.[8] A child's development naturally leads to an opening up of new unknown life space regions. Transitional periods such as adolescence are characterized by a more than usual impact of these new regions. Therefore, an adolescent entering a new social group or life space can be seen psychologically as entering a cognitively unstructured field. This new field makes it difficult for the individual to know what behavior is appropriate within the field. This is believed to be a possibility for changes in child and adolescent behavior.[8]