ABSTRACT
M u r r a y (1938), i d e n t i f i e d the life h is tory as the " l o n g u n i t " i n the study o f persons i n t ransac t ion w i t h the ir var ious env i ronments . Indeed, the life history remains a n u l t imate challenge for p r o v i d i n g a comprehensive , integrative account o f a n i n d i v i d u a l ' s existence ( R u n y a n , 1982). However , the o b v i o u s pauc i ty o f deta i led observat iona l records for a n entire life course rem a i n s a d a u n t i n g , a n d perhaps inevitable , l i m i t a t i o n o f life h i s tor i ca l analysis. I n this sense, life h is tory analysis remains closer to h is tory t h a n to o b s e r v a t i o n a l science ( C r a i k , 1996; L o w e n t h a l , 1985, 1996). C e r t a i n l y , a complete natural is t ic f i e l d r e c o r d i n g o f a n i n d i v i d u a l ' s l i f e long e n v i r o n m e n - ta l t ransact ions is far b e y o n d o u r current sc ient i f ic capabil i t ies .
