Housing As a Social Adaptation Process

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Abstract
A limited housing theory is presented that views housing as a creative adaptation process in which various mechanisms of adaptation characterize the interaction between residents and residential environment. The household life cycle and labor market career condition the development or maintenance of certain patterns of values, norms, and attitudes that, in turn, affect formation of an aspiration picture of the household's residential situation. The difference between the perception of the existing residential situation and the aspiration picture can be increased (cumulative stress) or diminished (cumulative inertia) by numerous changes occurring inside or outside the household. But in general, households will endeavor to make the residential situation picture and the aspiration picture as congruent as possible. In discussing residential satisfaction five mechanisms of adaptation-classified as either active or passive-are defined. They are moving, structural conversion, change of use, change of attitude, and protest. A sixth alternative, nonadaptation, is also described. Finally, external factors that may play an important part in the selection of an adaptation mechanism are discussed.

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