Examining the Impact of Seasonal Changes on Embodied Perception Capabilities and Behavior: A Case Study of Darakeh, Tehran

Problem statement: Environmental psychology, as a broad scientific field, seeks to understand the nature and type of interactions between humans and their surrounding environment. In simplerterms, it examines how human behavior in space is influenced by exposure to behavioral environments. It is an undeniable fact that humans, as part of their environment, both influence and are influenced by their surroundings. However, the extent to which this cycle is affected by sensory stimuli, as well as the specific stimuli that alter behaviors, remains an open question. Research objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between the perception derived from visual landscapes and the resulting changes in individual and collective behavioral patterns. To achieve this goal, the research utilizes the Darakeh area a space characterized by diverse sensory landscapes and a wide range of audiences. Research method: The study employs two qualitative research methods: ethnographic (behavioral) studies and sensory walking to examine sensory-behavioral stations. These methods were applied over different time intervals during the spring and summer seasons to analyze behavioral changes and sensory landscapes. Conclusion: The results indicate that sensory landscape variations during spring and summer significantly impact human behaviors in the Darakeh area. In spring, olfactory and visual senses are dominant, enhancing friendly interactions and momentary behaviors. Conversely, in summer, the sense of touch becomes more active due to climatic changes, increasing individual interactions with strangers. These sensory variations are directly linked to the physical characteristics of the environment and temporal cycles, highlighting the importance of environmental planning to enhance the quality of public spaces. Overall, diverse sensory stimuli, alongside physical elements, create a foundation for the formation and variation of behavioral patterns.