During the 1960s, environmental psychologist Robert Sommer observed that people in institutional settings often exhibited withdrawal and social isolat...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
During the 1960s, environmental psychologist Robert Sommer observed that people in institutional settings often exhibited withdrawal and social isolation. His research suggested that physical environments lacking "defensible space"—areas where individuals could exercise territorial control—undermined psychological well-being. This insight profoundly influenced architect Oscar Newman, whose 1972 housing project in St. Louis incorporated Sommer's defensible space principles through design features like semi-private courtyards, clear sightlines, and resident-controlled entry points. Urban planning scholars credit Newman's implementation with demonstrating how environmental psychology could reshape public housing design.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
The text presents an approach about how physical environments affect human behavior and then describes a housing project that incorporated that approach.
The text outlines a disagreement between an environmental psychologist and an architect and then traces how that disagreement influenced urban planning theories.
The text summarizes a debate about how institutional settings should be evaluated and then discusses a contrasting perspective on that subject.
The text lists the design characteristics that are common to many successful housing projects and then indicates the psychological principles that are most appropriate for public spaces.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "During the 1960s, environmental psychologist Robert Sommer observed that people in institutional settings often exhibited withdrawal and social isolation." |
|
| "His research suggested that physical environments lacking 'defensible space'—areas where individuals could exercise territorial control—undermined psychological well-being." |
|
| "This insight profoundly influenced architect Oscar Newman, whose 1972 housing project in St. Louis incorporated Sommer's defensible space principles through design features like semi-private courtyards, clear sightlines, and resident-controlled entry points." |
|
| "Urban planning scholars credit Newman's implementation with demonstrating how environmental psychology could reshape public housing design." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Sommer's research on how physical environments affect human behavior led to practical applications in housing design that influenced the broader field of urban planning.
Argument Flow: The passage moves chronologically and causally from Sommer's initial observations about human behavior in institutional settings, to his research conclusions about "defensible space," to Newman's concrete application of these principles in a housing project, and finally to the recognition of this work's broader significance in urban planning.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer should capture that the passage has two main parts: first, it presents Sommer's approach about how physical environments affect human behavior (his observations and research on defensible space), and second, it describes how this approach was actually implemented in a real housing project by Newman
- The answer should show this cause-and-effect relationship where psychological research led to practical application
The text presents an approach about how physical environments affect human behavior and then describes a housing project that incorporated that approach.
- Correctly captures the two-part structure: first presenting Sommer's approach about physical environments affecting behavior, then describing Newman's housing project that incorporated this approach
- Matches our passage analysis showing the flow from psychological research to practical application
The text outlines a disagreement between an environmental psychologist and an architect and then traces how that disagreement influenced urban planning theories.
- Claims there's a "disagreement between an environmental psychologist and an architect" but the passage shows influence and collaboration, not disagreement
- Newman was influenced by Sommer's work
The text summarizes a debate about how institutional settings should be evaluated and then discusses a contrasting perspective on that subject.
- Suggests the text presents a "debate" and "contrasting perspective" but the passage shows a unified progression from research to application, not opposing viewpoints
The text lists the design characteristics that are common to many successful housing projects and then indicates the psychological principles that are most appropriate for public spaces.
- Claims the text "lists design characteristics common to many successful housing projects" but the passage only describes features of Newman's single project, not common characteristics across multiple projects