Spirituality in Place: Assessment of Spirituality, Place Attachment, and Locus of Control in College
Keywords
Spirituality; Locus of Control; Place Attachment; Placemaking; Design; Cognition; College
Abstract
The intent of this thesis is to explore how spirituality in place shapes college students’ cognition. While spiritual development is recognized as an important aspect of student affairs, its influence on cognitive factors such as locus of control and place attachment remains underexplored. This study investigates the relationship between spirituality, place attachment, and locus of control, as well as students’ perceptions of spiritual design elements on UCF’s campus. To assess these perceptions, a Quality of Place Questionnaire for Spirituality was developed. This instrument aims to measure humanity, sensuality, and sustainability in the built environment. This research uncovers the connections between spirituality and cognition, while offering a preliminary framework for measuring spirituality in place. The purpose is to inform campus design in ways that foster holistic growth through intentional placemaking, and to explore the subtle yet powerful effects of our interactions with the built environment on the mind.
Thesis Completion Year
2025
Thesis Completion Semester
Spring
Thesis Chair
McConnell, Daniel
College
College of Sciences
Department
Psychology
Thesis Discipline
Psychology
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus Access
None
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
STARS Citation
Armand, Chloe, "Spirituality in Place: Assessment of Spirituality, Place Attachment, and Locus of Control in College" (2025). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 306.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/306
Included in
Cognition and Perception Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons, Cognitive Science Commons, Landscape Architecture Commons, Other Philosophy Commons, Urban, Community and Regional Planning Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons
Rights Statement
