Psy 460 Week 2 Theories Of Environmental Psychology

Environmental Psychology

PSY/460

Environmental Psychology

Environmental psychology was established as an independent discipline in the 1950’s and 1960’s that studied the environmental features as well as human behavior in the physical and sociophysical environment. Research was focused to have a solid understanding of the environmental physical features of the environment and effect toward human behavior.
At the beginning of environmental psychology research there were two theories about environmental environment and human behavior. The first theory is human behavior was affected by the physical environment. The second theory is human behavior is created by the
natural
environment. These theories were overshadowed by the development of person-in-place theory that includes the physical properties of the environment and the thought process and actions of people in the environment. Environmental psychology has evolved to include four parts. “Because of the influence of these different factors, present day environmental psychology can be characterized by four distinctive aspects: the attention paid to the physical characteristics of the environment in which human behavior occurs; the wide variety of the research methods adopted: the specific interest in problems with a clear social relevance, and the adoption of interdisciplinary collaboration practices with other environmental fields devoted to the design and management of everyday life environment” (Environmental Psychology, Overview, 2004). Five divisions have been incorporated into environmental psychology: spatial behavior, environmental cognition, environmental stress and restoration, environmental assessment, and environmental concern and resource management. Ozone depletion and climate change has caused ecologists to collaborate social and natural sciences to create environmental sustainability. “The growing interest of current environmental psychology in topics such as environmental concern, pro-environmental values and attitudes, ecologically relevant behaviors, sustainable lifestyles, and natural resources managements is also a consequence of this increased awareness” (Environmental Psychology, Overview, 2004).

Major Theoretical Approaches

Ecological theoretical perception and approach to environmental psychology includes the response of people to his or her environment by viewing and acknowledging environmental features. One perceives the environment through an ecological perception including fundamental conducts: holistic and relational sensation and perception and a method of perception separating the individual from the environment insufficient. An individual is able to retrieve information from his or her environmental features and examining his or her environment.

Attention restoration theory involves people in environments of nature that have a positive affect on people. “Because this theory has makes assumptions about innate capacity for attention, and about environmental qualities that interact with this capacity, it is an interactionist theory. According to ART, many of our daily tasks require mental effort in order to direct our attention toward the required objects and processes while avoiding distractions and delaying extraneous thoughts and activities” (Clayton, S. & Meyers, G., 2009).
There are people who enjoy hiking or camping because natural environments relieve stress and create positive cognitive process and behavior. The natural environment is not focused on social interactions and people are able to focus on their goals, morals, and values without work or personal responsibilities; creating self healing and self focus.

Significance of Environmental Psychology Research

Environmental psychology research is important to preserve the environment for future generation and make people aware of his or her affects on the environment as well as how he or she could contribute to environmental sustainability.
Environmental psychology research has been incorporated into architecture such as homes with material on the roof to generate solar power energy instead of employing local company power and energy that could create an expensive monthly bill. People who continually drive to work instead of use public transportation or people who consume unnecessary energy at home or at the workplace are have an effect on the environment such as causing depletion of the ozone layer, pollution, and sporadic climate change. People who develop healthy lifestyles including eating healthy, exercising, and learning about environmental sustainability would contribute more to decreasing pollution, climate change, and depletion of the ozone layer. “Essential items on both the research and policy agendas concerning sustainability are the resource intensity of human production
and consumption patterns, the assessment and management of natural resource stock and flow, and societal transitions in various human activity domains. Examples are energy supply and demand, agriculture and livestock production, availability and consumption of drinking water, mobility and transportation, and recreation and tourism” (Uiterkamp, A., & Vlek, C., 2007). Furthermore, research of environmental psychology is incorporated in appropriate architecture designs such as homes and medical facilities to generate solar power energy and serene environments that promote healthy cognition, behavior, and recuperation.

Conclusion

Environmental psychology is a necessary discipline of psychology to understand better human cognition and behavior in environments.
Through research ecologists are able to develop methods for environmental sustainability, preserve the natural environment, and create a positive and healthy lifestyle for human beings. Environmental psychology research is important to decrease ozone layer depletion, pollution, and sporadic climate change. Moreover environmental psychology research is currently employed to generate power and energy for homes and business from solar energy as well as creating serene medical facility environments to help patients recuperate faster than in environments that do not have natural environmental
features.

References

Environmental Psychology, Overview (2004). Encyclopedia of Applied Psychology.

Clayton, S. & Meyers, G. (2009). Conversation psychology. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.

Nisbet, E., & Gick, M. (2008, November). Can health psychology help the planet? Applying

theory and models of health behaviour to environmental actions. Canadian Psychology, 49(4),

296-303.

Uiterkamp, A., & Vlek, C. (2007, March). Practice and cutcomes of multidisciplinary research

for environmental sustainability Journal of Social Issues, 63(1), 175-197.