Abstract
Moving house is a complex issue involving the relationship of three foci - people, behaviour and houses. A psychological orientation can relate these domains by using the methods of facet theory and its associated family of multivariate statistical procedures. Three conceptual dimensions (facets) are identified to classify people in terms of their motives for moving (i.e. job, family, housing values). These represent movers' own explanations of their house buying experiences. Fourteen mover types are defined that vary in the degree of pressure accompanying their move. A partial order scalogram analysis (POSA) orders the 14 types on a scale of increasing pressure, and from which a model of moving is constructed. The model is used to account for variations in behaviour' and housing outcomes. This is accomplished by retrieving the proposed facet model from a smallest space analysis (SSA 1). Facet theory permits the formulation of hypotheses about partitions in an n-dimensional space into clearly defined regions such that the facet design can be reconstructed in that space. A faceted definition of behaviour is also proposed. Two modes are identified, instrumental and evaluative, underlying both is the concept of intensity. Housing outcomes are postulated to result from a balancing of preferred choices with actual resources. Two indices of outcome are constructed i.e. success rates and mobility potential. The findings of the study demonstrate (a) the mover model was recovered from analyses incorporating all behaviour and housing variables but adjustments were necessary when accounting for specific variables e.g. duration of search; (b) increases in pressure were associated with more intense searches, more critical evaluative behaviour, lessening success in purchasing preferred houses and soonest next move; (c) housing policy, house buying practice and house design were issues amenable to practical application. The data base for the study derives from two sources; detailed accounts from house buyers, estate agents and solicitors in and around Guildford collected in 1976; three national surveys conducted in 1977 under the auspices of the Alliance Building Society.