LEARNING UNIT: Critical Studies: Interior Design, 3rd Year.

MODULE TITLE: Environmental Psychology (Psychology Of Space)

SEMESTER: One

TERM: One

STUDENT NAME: Natasha Millar

STUDENT NUMBER: 13-015
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Environmental Psychology examines the interrelationship between environments and human effect, cognition and behaviour (Bechtel & Churchman 2002:187). The environment in which we are situated influences our behaviour and correspondingly our behaviour influences our environment (Kopec 2012:1). Using Kopec’s Cognitive, Socio-cultural and Neurobiology perspectives, I will be analysing four spaces within Section 4 of Constitution Hill, and how these environments have psychologically impacted on the prisoners by visually analysing the prison through the use of illustrations and research.

The Socio-Cultural perspective explores behavioural and learning perspectives. Our daily social conditions such as status, gender norms and expectations, operate in conjunction with cultural traits such as tradition, ethnicity and our religious beliefs, in order to produce certain behaviours (Kopec 2012:5). The Cognitive behavioural theory focuses on the way in which we process information and how that information then affects our behaviour (Kopec 2012:5). This particular perspective will focus on how a prisoner gains knowledge, or becomes aware of events or objects within his environment, and uses that knowledge within the limits of his intellectual capacity. The development of problem solving is therefore shaped by the relationship the prisoner has with his environment (Kopec 2012:30). The Neurobiological Perspective examines how our behaviour is influenced by our genetics and our physical reactions to our surrounding environment (Kopec 2012:5). Our actions are hardwired as a result of Neurobiological or biological activity. This means that external stresses such as noise cause the body to release adrenalin, thus increasing the heart rate, etc. Stimulations like sight, smell, touch, etc are all significant factors contributing to the Neurobiological perspective (Kopec 2012:30).

According To Oliver Thambo:

Racism, one of the great evils of our time, bedevils human relations, between individuals, within and between nations across continents. It brutalises entire people, destroys persons, wraps the process of thought and injects into society a foul air of tension, mutual antagonism and hatred.

Constitution Hill, overlooking Johannesburg, is now the site of South Africa’s Constitutional Court, but it is also a heritage precinct of great historical significance. It was built on the site of the Johannesburg Fort, which then became a prison complex. It served this function for about 100 years, housing a number of luminaries of ‘The Struggle’ in the fight against Apartheid – heroes like Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela (Constitution Hill 2013). Constitution Hill was used to house Section 4 (Constitution Hill is a window on a brutal past...2014). Originally, the prison was erected to house white male prisoners in 1892, following which, Paul Kruger built The Old Fort around this prison in 1896-1899 to protect The South African Republic from the British Invasion (Constitution Hill is a window on a brutal past..2014). Later on, The Old Fort was extended to include "native cells", known as Section 4, and in 1907, a women's section was added. (Constitution Hill is a window on a brutal past..2014). The "Native" prison was built to house 997 men yet, when running at full capacity, it housed up to 2 200 men, all of whom lived through the brutalisation and dehumanisation that was Section 4.(Constitution Hill 2013).

In analysing these spaces, not only will Kopec's perspectives be used but that of the prisoners ideology too. Ideology is made necessary by the conditions of society while helping to maintain those conditions. We, as people innately feel a need to belong, to have social 'place' within our society, which can be hard to find (Williamson 1978:13). The ordering of space within architecture and buildings is really about the ordering of relations between the people within those spaces (Hillier & Hanson. 1984:4). The first room within the prison to be analysed, is that of the food area. Within this space, all male prisoners would gather to eat , regardless of their race but the food was distributed strictly according to race (Baloyi. 2015). Figure 1 is Congress One, this was the food drum which was given to the whites only and contained well -cooked beef or pork. Figure 2, Congress Two, was for Coloureds and Indians, and contained porridge or boiled vegetables and off -cuts of fatty meat from Congress One. Figure 3, was for the black people, and this drum was always meatless. Its contents were that of a plastic-textured porridge and a mixture of boiled mealies and beans (Exhibition Panel, Daily Diet). This space is particularly interesting in terms of the socio-cultural perspective because, within the African Culture, the men are fed first and receive the biggest portions (Baloyi. 2015). In this instance, however, the African men, regardless of age, were fed last and received the smallest portions, consisting of the most undesirable pieces of food, thus degrading not only the status of African men within their own Culture but causing these men to feel completely worthless in comparison to every other race, including Coloured people and Indians. This form of degradation allowed the White prisoners to feel superior to other cell mates of a different ethnicity and culture, and created extensive divisions and resentment amongst the prisoners (Baloyi. 2015).The Neurobiological perspective becomes significant when considering the unhygienic state in which the plates and dishes were left for the prisoners to use. Plates and dishes were only washed every 7 weeks Sometimes they were only washed every 3-4 months, exposing prisoners to the sight, smell and taste of rotten, decaying food and its accompanying health hazards such Typhoid, Malaria etc (Baloyi. 2015). Examining the feeding of prisoners by means of the Cognitive Perspective we note that the prisoners had absolutely no control over their food. They had no say in what they were fed, or where and when they could eat (Baloyi. 2015). This sent a clear message to the black prisoners that they were considered unimportant and were regarded with contempt, thus fuelling their sense of their own inferiority, and influencing their behaviour amongst the other ‘superior’ races.

The next space that will be analysed, are the conditions and the way in which the prisoners lived and functioned within the cells. Life inside the prison cells were made worse not just by the aggression of the prison warders but that of the hierarchy within the cells amongst the black prisoners and Wardens (Constitution Hill: Essence of SA [sa]). The communal cells were built to hold 30 prisoners yet these cells housed 60-70 prisoners at a time, in a poorly lit and badly ventilated space (Constitution Hill is a window on a brutal past..2014). In terms of the Socio-cultural perspective, prisoners slept according to their status within the hierarchy from bosses to slaves (Baloyi. 2015). However, the Cognitive Behavioural perspective is predominant in the Communal Cells as the prisoners behaviour was based on their position within the hierarchy that kept the cells running smoothly. The cell bosses, being the gang leaders, slept furthest from the toilets in a space known as the 'Ematafuleni' (Exhibition Panel, Communal Cell). These prisoners robbed the others of their blankets and personal belongings in order to create more comfort and privacy for themselves (Exhibition Panel, Communal Cell). The 'Emaphanga' was a specific area reserved for prisoners known as the 'sakabams'. These prisoners were the bosses' lieutenants who used intimidation and violence in order to control the cell (Exhibition Panel, Communal Cell). Other prisoners classified as the 'Besoekers' were also allowed to sleep in the 'Emphanga' area , using goods that they were given by their visitors to buy their way into this space. If their visitors ever stopped coming, they were very easily demoted (Exhibition Panel, Communal Cell). Another area within the cell was called the 'Bush'. This was the space between the toilets and the 'Emphanga' area for 'slaves' whose duty was solely to serve the bosses. These prisoners slept closest to the toilets where the smell was the worst illustrated in Figure 4 (Constitution hill is a window to the past…2014). In terms of the Neurological Perspective, this situation made the prisoners aware of their place within the hierarchical ranking, which then affected their behaviour according to their ranking, from “slave’ to “gang leader”.

According to one source (Constitution hill: essence of SA [sa]) Solitary Confinement, known as Emakhulukhuthu, “deep dark hole,” consisted of tiny cells with concrete walls and hardly any light, as illustrated in Figure 5. What linked these cells to the Neurobiological and Cognitive behavioural perspectives was the fact that prisoners were deprived of daylight, as they were only allowed out of their cells for one hour out of twenty-four, and that one hour was their time to shower and walk around. This lead to them being under-stimulated and disorientated (Baloyi. 2015). On the other hand, within the white cells, the lights were left on constantly, which lead to their body releasing adrenalin, which caused over-stimulation and depression (Baloyi. 2015).

Room 4 – Power and Punishment was designed to punish the prisoners and not rehabilitate them (Exhibition Panel, Power And Punishment). For the prison to function, it relied on violence. Warders used violence used to maintain control, and prisoners relied on violence to gain power(Exhibition Panel, Power And Punishment). Room 4 was a cell designed to house about 60 inmates, but actually held over 300 (Baloyi. 2015). If inmates were resilient they would be tortured with a device known as, “the flogging friend” as seen in Figure 6. Prisoners were beaten with whips, handcuffs etc as illustrated in Figure 7 and were tortured in front of other prisoners to set an example (Baloyi. 2015). From the Socio-cultural aspect, this was extremely degrading for the inmates as they were beaten half naked and in front of hundreds of other inmates. The Cognitive perspective is relevant here as the wardens took complete control over how the prisoners were allowed to act, and they could place them within Solitary confinement for up to a year if they chose to. The prisoners had absolutely no say or power over themselves (Baloyi. 2015).

The last spaces to be analysed are the toilets and showers. Figure 8 and 9, illustrates the location of the toilets. These were situated directly in front of the eating area which meant that, when the toilets were full and over flowing, faeces and urine would run onto the floor where the cell mates would be seated to eat, thus linking the neurobiological perspective to this space, as all their senses were pulled in different directions, associating the taste, sight and smell of food with that of faeces and urine. The smell, sight and sounds emanating from the toilets would obviously have a very strong negative impact on the prisoners. Besides the indignity of having to relieve themselves in full view, which linked to the Socio-cultural perspective as degrading for all men of different cultures and backgrounds, outbreaks of diseases like typhoid and enteric fever became commonplace (Baloyi. 2015). La Guma (1956) states that “one of the reasons for my disease (Typhoid) is found in this jail filth. The mats are filthy, the blankets are filthy, the latrines are filthy, the food is filthy, the utensils are filthy, the convicts’ clothes are filthy.” From the Cognitive perspective, this meant that prisoners eventually became numb to the filth that surrounded them, living their daily lives surrounded by faecal matter, without complaint.

Figure 10 illustrates the showers, 8 showers used for 11000 inmates in 30 minutes. Socio-culturally , gangs had first privilege and could shower for up to 25 to 30 minutes and would make the younger boys their wives and rape them. Nthute (1963) says".....it was wrong. We respect elderly people...a man can never undress in front of me...but in this place they don't care...and we can do nothing about it". Again, the wardens would do nothing about the gangs and because of the strong hierarchical basis of prison life, some prisoners would be deprived of showers for up to 6 months. In terms of the Neurobiological perspective prisoners had to accept being denied the right to clean themselves, while from the aspect of cognitive behaviour, they were forced to accept their place and act in accordance with what the prison system felt they ‘'deserved'.

In conclusion it is extremely evident that the Cognitive Behavioural Perspective is dominant throughout the running of Section 4 of Constitution Hill. The Cognitive behavioural theory focuses on the way in which we process information and how that information will then affect our behaviour (Kopec 2012:5). By visually analysing Section 4 through the use of illustrations and research it can be argued that the Cognitive Behavioural theory is dominant throughout Section 4 as prisoners had to find their place within the hierarchical structure of the cells and it depended on their ranking within that hierarchy whether their lives within section 4 were either made easier or more challenging. Certain ranked positions gave prisoners more control and greater privileges, thus enabling them to behave in a manner appropriate to their status.

Figure 1 - Congress One - white prisoners only (food distribution)

Figure 2 : Congress 2 - Coloured and Indian Prisoners - Food distribution

Figure 3: Natives Only - Congress 3.

Figure 4: The 'slaves' sleeping closest to the toilets

Figure 5: Solitary Confinement Cell

Figure 6 : Flogging Friend

Figure 7: Items used to beat prisoners on flogging friend

Figure 8: location of toilets right by eating area

Figure 9: inside of toilets

Figure 10: Showers

Reference List:

Bechtel, R. & Churchman, A. 2002. Handbook Of Environmental Psychology. New York, NJ: Hoboken

Baloyi, C. Tour Guide, Constitution Hill. 2015. Interview By Author. [Transcript]. 21 February. Braamfontein

Constitution Hill: Essence Of Sa. [Sa]. [O].
Available: http://joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=250&Itemid=51
Accessed: 11/03/2015

Constitution Hill. 2013. [O]
Available: http://www.constitutionhill.org
Accessed: 10/03/2015

Constitution Hill [Sa]. [O].

Available: http://www.travelground.com/attractions/constitution-hill

Accessed: 11/03/2015

Constitution Hill is a window on a brutal past. 2014. [O]

Available: http://www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com/culture/3755-constitution-hill-is-a-window-on-a-brutal-past

Accessed: 11/03/2015

Exhibition Panel: "COMMUNAL CELLS". Section 4. Constitution Hill. (Exhibition Held at Constitution Hill, Braamfontein, 27 February 2015).

Exhibition Panel: "DAILY DIET". Section 4. Constitution Hill. (Exhibition Held At Constitution Hill, Braamfontein, 27 February 2015).

Exhibition Panel: "NAKEDNESS". Section 4. Samual Nthute, 1963. (Exhibition Held At Constitution Hill, Braamfontein, 27 February 2015).

Exhibition Panel: "POWER AND PUNISHEMENT". Section 4. Constitution Hill. (Exhibition Held At Constitution Hill, Braamfontein, 27 February 2015).

Hillier, B., & Hanson, J. (1984). The social logic of space. Cambridge university press.

Kopec, D. 2016. Environmental Psychology For Design. New York: Fairchild publications

Williamson, J. 1978. Decoding advertisements (Vol. 4). London: Marion Boyars.

Image List:

Figure 1 Millar, N. Detail view of Congress One food drum. (2015). Colour Photograph. (Photograph: The Author).

Figure 2 Millar, N. Detail view of Congress Two, Food drum. (2015). Colour

Photograph. (photograph: The Author).

Figure 3 Millar, N. Detail view of Congress Three, food drum. (2015). Colour

Photograph. (Photograph: The Author).

Figure 4 Millar, N. Detail view of prisoners sleeping by toilet. (2015). Colour

Photograph. (Photograph: The Author).

Figure 5 Millar, N. Detail view of Solitary Confinement Cell. (2015). Colour

Photograph. (Photograph: The Author).

Figure 6 Millar, N. Detail view of Flogging Friend. (2015). Colour

Photograph. (Photograph: The Author).

Figure 7 Millar, N. Detail view of items used to beat prisoners on Flogging Friend. (2015). Colour Photograph. (Photograph: The Author).

Figure 8 Millar, N. Detail view of location of toilets by eating area. (2015). Colour

Photograph. (Photograph: The Author).

Figure 9 Millar, N. Detail view of inside the toilets. (2015). Colour

Photograph. (Photograph: The Author).

Figure 10 Millar, N. Detail view of The showers. (2015). Colour

Photograph. (Photograph: The Author).