The present discussion examines some of the theoretical assumptions implicit in Altman's (1976) concept of social-unit analysis. These assumptions are considered in relation to Miller, Galanter, and Pribram's (1960) "TOTE" model of human behavior and the concept of human-environment optimization (Stokols, in press). An attempt is made to specify certain core concerns of the environ ment and behavior field, and to examine the potential contribution of social psychology to an analysis of these concerns.
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