Running head: ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

What is Environmental Psychology?

ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY What is Environmental Psychology? The study of psychology looks at all aspects of human behavior including studying the reasons why people behave the way they do. One of the biggest factors when it comes to human

behavior is the environment. A field of psychology called environmental psychology studies how peoples behaviors relate to the environment. This paper will examine the discipline of environmental psychology. The paper will start off by defining the discipline of environmental psychology. The paper will then discuss two major theoretical approaches to the field of psychology. Finally, the paper will explain the importance of research in this field. A Definition of Environmental Psychology Environmental psychology is the field of psychology that studies the interrelationship between human behavior and the environment (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995). The term environment used in this field has a very broad definition. The word environment in environmental psychology can refer to natural elements on the planet, social settings, informational environments, learning environments, and built environments (De Young, 2010). There are several elements to environmental psychology that help to better define this field of psychology. The first element is attention. This element deals with understanding how individuals notice the environment (De Young, 2010). The next element is perception and cognitive maps. This element involves studying how people perceive the natural and built environment (De Young, 2010). The next element to environmental psychology is preferred environments. This element involves studying why people seek out certain environments over others (De Young, 2010). The next element is environmental stress and coping. This element focuses on the causes of stress in peoples environment, the effect the stress has on people, and the way people cope with this stress (De Young, 2010). Another element to environmental psychology is participation.

ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY Participation involves enhancing peoples involvement in environmental management, design, and restoration (De Young, 2010). The final element found in environmental psychology is conservation behavior. This element involves looking at environmental attitudes, values, and perceptions about the environment (De Young, 2010). Conservation behavior also strives to promote environmentally appropriate behavior (De Young, 2010). Major Theoretical Approaches to Environmental Psychology Stimulus Load Theories One theoretical approach in environmental psychology is the stimulus load theories. These theories suggest that humans have only a limited capacity to which they can process information (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995). When a person is put into a situation where the inputs

being received exceed the persons capacity, then the person ignores some of the inputs and pays more attention to others (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995). These theories account for responses to environmental stimulation in terms of the organisms momentary capacity to attend and deal with salient features of the milieu (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995, p. 20). In other words, the stimulus that is the most important gets the most attention. Stimuli that are less important are often ignored. Behavior Constraint Theories Another theoretical approach in environmental psychology is behavior constraint theories. These theories focus mostly on any real or perceived limitations that are imposed on a person by the environment (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995). These theories look at situations where people have lost control over their environments or situations where people think they have lost control (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995). The theories suggest that when people feel they have lost

ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY control they experience discomfort at first and then fix the situation by gaining control over it (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995). The Importance of Research in Environmental Psychology Research in the field of environmental psychology is very important. Since environmental psychology is considered a behavioral science it is important that the field meet the standards of acceptability set by other forms of science (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995). This is done by conducting research and experiments. Through research and experimentation

environmental psychologists and researchers will be able to search for new facts and data (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995). They will then be able to order the facts and data into patterns that will give them meaningful information (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995). The process of research and experimentation involves making decisions that are often complex involving certain issues (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995). These issues include sampling subjects and conditions, defining key concepts, scaling, measurements, design, instrumentation, and statistics (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995). Conclusion Environmental psychology studies the relationship between the environment and behavior. In environmental psychology the word environment can mean many things like social settings, built environments, natural elements, and informational and learning environments (De Young, 2010). There are several theoretical approaches in the field of environmental psychology. Two of these approaches are the stimulus load theories and the behavior constraint theories. Research is also an important part of this field of study. Research allows environmental psychologists to meet the standards of acceptability set by other sciences.

ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY References De Young, R. (2010). Environmental psychology. Retrieved from: http://wwwpersonal.umich.edu/~rdeyoung/envtpsych.html Veitch, R., &Arkkelin, D. (1995). Environmental psychology: An interdisciplinary perspective. Prentice Hall, Inc.