Psy 460 Week 4
Positive and Negative Effects of Human Behavior
Positive and Negative Effects of Human Behavior Individuals behave differently depending on his or her beliefs and the choices come from the beliefs one holds. This can have a positive or negative effect on one’s environment within his or her control and the environment that affects the human population on Earth. Some environmental conditions that humans do have control over are pollution and crowding, although the rising temperatures and noise pollution may be out of individual reach. By changing some conditions and adding items that have a positive mental influence on individuals can make some over-populated urban environments more pleasant and less stressful to the community and population living among those areas. “Urban environmental quality thus is a multidimensional concepts that comprise both negative and positive influences” (Steg, 2013, p. 98). Further reading will describe how environmental cues shape individual behavior, examine how behavior is modifiable to support the environment, how social norms are essential for individual beliefs and the influence on behavior, and to find solutions to modify habits and behaviors of the general population.
Environmental Cues Environmental cues are shaped by individual behavior. According to Steg, “Cues are elements in the environment that convey important information or trigger an affective reaction” (2013, p. 120). Environmental cues are influential on individual behavior, goal setting, and completion of personal goals. For example: In Arizona, there is a law that no one is allowed to smoke within 20 feet of any business entrance and nowhere on hospital grounds. This cue is in the form of a sign and many people do not catch the importance of the cue. The laws are not strict enough to punish the individuals who disobey this law. Normally when an individual sees an environmental cue, it usually has an influence on his or her behavior. “In any
Positive and Negative Effects of Human Behavior Individuals behave differently depending on his or her beliefs and the choices come from the beliefs one holds. This can have a positive or negative effect on one’s environment within his or her control and the environment that affects the human population on Earth. Some environmental conditions that humans do have control over are pollution and crowding, although the rising temperatures and noise pollution may be out of individual reach. By changing some conditions and adding items that have a positive mental influence on individuals can make some over-populated urban environments more pleasant and less stressful to the community and population living among those areas. “Urban environmental quality thus is a multidimensional concepts that comprise both negative and positive influences” (Steg, 2013, p. 98). Further reading will describe how environmental cues shape individual behavior, examine how behavior is modifiable to support the environment, how social norms are essential for individual beliefs and the influence on behavior, and to find solutions to modify habits and behaviors of the general population.
Environmental Cues Environmental cues are shaped by individual behavior. According to Steg, “Cues are elements in the environment that convey important information or trigger an affective reaction” (2013, p. 120). Environmental cues are influential on individual behavior, goal setting, and completion of personal goals. For example: In Arizona, there is a law that no one is allowed to smoke within 20 feet of any business entrance and nowhere on hospital grounds. This cue is in the form of a sign and many people do not catch the importance of the cue. The laws are not strict enough to punish the individuals who disobey this law. Normally when an individual sees an environmental cue, it usually has an influence on his or her behavior. “In any
References: Goldstein, N., Cialdini, R., Griskevicius, V. (2008). A room with a viewpoint: using social norms to motivate environmental conservation in hotels. Journal of Consumer Research, 35(3), 472-482. Steg, L. (2013) Environmental psychology: An introduction. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell. Steg, L., & Vlek, C. (2009). Encouraging pro-environmental behavior: an integrative review and research agenda. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 29, 309-317.