Running head: ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 1

What is Environmental Psychology?

What is Environmental Psychology?

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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.

Participation involves enhancing peoples involvement in environmental management, design,

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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

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

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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.

References

De Young, R. (2010). Environmental psychology. Retrieved from: http://www-

personal.umich.edu/~rdeyoung/envtpsych.html
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Veitch, R., &Arkkelin, D. (1995). Environmental psychology: An interdisciplinary perspective.

Prentice Hall, Inc.