Introduction to Environmental Psychology

Environment mainly comprises the natural environment (such

as places, geographical features like rivers, mountains, valleys;
environmental conditions like temperature, rainfall, flora and
fauna) and the built up environment (such as houses, buildings,
cities, communities, etc.).
➢ A close relationship between physical and socio-cultural
environment and human being’s psychological processes is
seen.
➢ The environmental factors have a significant effect on
both mental and behavioural activities of human beings.
Mental activities refer to the way humans perceive, think,
reason, attribute, believe, interpret and develop attitudes
about different aspects of their environment.
➢ The social, economic, psychological, mental and physical
well-being of a human being is also greatly affected by
occurrence of different environmental hazards such as
cyclones, floods, draughts, tsunami, etc.

TYPES OF ENVIRONMENT
can be classified into 3 broad types
1. Biotic (living) – The word biotic refers to having to do with
living organisms. Biotic elements refer to the biological
component of the ecosystem, consisting of population of
 plants, animals and micro organisms in complex
communities
2. Abiotic – it include the flow of energy necessary to
maintain any organism, the physical factor that affect it
and the supply of molecules required for its life functions.
Other physical factors include climate, temperature,
precipitation, including its types (rain, snow, hill) around
and seasonable distribution, types of soil present (sandy or
clay, dry or wet, fertile or infertile)
3. Cultural – The stage of development that human being
have attained in the path towards progress will determine
their culture as way of life. Human interaction with
environment also influences the ecosystem.
 Environmental Psychology

Environmental psychology studies the intricate and

complex relationship humans share with their natural
environment. It basically studies the impact environment
can have on human experiences, behaviour, well-being,
and the reciprocal influence individuals can have on their
environment.

Scope and role of environmental psychology

• Environment psychology aims to influence work of design
professionals (architects, interior designers, urban
planners, etc.) and improve the human environment.
• In the 1960s, environment psychology was developed out
of ergonomics. Ergonomics is the application of scientific
information concerning humans to the designs of objects,
systems and environment for human use.
• Environments and environmental stressors and coping
have their origins within the discipline of ergonomics. It
deals with measurable aspects of environment such as
measuring lighting, noise, etc.
• To keep the balance between man and the environment, a
significant role is played by Environmental psychologists.
In this, they consider urban environment, rural
 environment, slum environment, work environment,
hospital environment, institutional environment and its
impact on human behaviour.

Methods to study the environment

1. Observational Methods Observation is defined as receiving

information through one of the five human senses.
Observational research methods are used for the study of
humans and the physical environment. There are many
ways in which we observe such as using a recycling bin is a
form of observation. We get information in many forms,
by watching/ listening/smelling, but the ability to record
information around us through our senses can be
enhanced with a variety of tools. Indirect observation, is
another effective and important tool for the study of
environmental behaviour, it involves methods such as
personal diaries, informants, or tracing measures.
2. Laboratory experiments that are conducted in a
controlled, mostly artificial, environment which is created
for research purposes are known as laboratory
experiments. The cause effect relationship between the
variables is enabled due to manipulation and random
assignment.
3. Field studies In order to achieve a higher external validity
without compromising on the internal validity, the method
of field study is used by environmental psychologists.
External validity, in case of field studies is higher since they
are conducted in naturalistic environments. Internal
validity is high as the experimenter aims to control the
situation by the systematic manipulation of the
independent variable (e.g. placing or removing a bin next
to a park bench), and tries to assign participants to various
conditions of the study.
4. Case studies The in-depth analysis of a specific situation is
known as case study, which is different from a general
statistical analysis. In order to narrow down a broad
research topic into a single case, the method of case study
is applied. For instance, the method of case study can be
applied in order to study the broad topic of urban
environmental quality in one particular neighbourhood
where garbage bins have recently been installed by the
municipality.
Approaches/ Theories of Environment- Human Behaviour
Relationship

Behavioural Constraint Theory: This theory states that when

particular aspects of our environment are perceived to be
threatening in nature, we react in certain ways to either
escape or cope with the stressor at hand. We continue to
behave in this way irrespective of whether the stressor is real
or perceived. We do so, as it helps us to prepare in advance
for certain stressors that we may have to face in future, thus
enhancing our coping capacities and survival. When we are
unable to cope with a stressor, it results in learned
helplessness, which may make one feel powerful and thus
reduce the motivation to take some active steps to better
deal with the situation at hand.
Adaptation Level Theory: This theory postulates that all
human beings tend to adapt to a certain level of stimulation
present in their environment, which allows human beings to
function at their optimum level. It also believed that too
much or very little stimulation from the environment can
have an undesirable effect. For instance, an ideal teacher-
student ratio is 1:25. A class that has very few children may
seem dull and a class that is too crowded may add to
distraction level of each child and hence both the conditions
are likely to have an undesirable effect. Similarly, being with
few people in life may add to our loneliness and being with
many people may make the place crowded and add to our
irritability and anger.
Arousal Theory: This theory states that our behaviour and
experiences get significantly affected and influenced by the
degree, manner and the extent to which we feel
physiologically aroused by various stimuli in our
environment. Human beings are likely to perform the best,
when they are optimally aroused. For example, a high level
of arousal in our exams, can add to anxiety and impair our
performance, whereas a small level of arousal may not
motivate us to study hard for our exams.
Environmental Stress Theory: This theory proposes that
humans respond to environmental stimuli based on their
cognitive and autonomic evaluation of the stressor. It is
these evaluations that help us determine whether an
environmental stimulus is stressful or not for us. If a stimulus
is perceived as threatening in nature, it results in a stressful
reaction. If we perceive a stranger standing at the corner of a
street at night alone as a burglar, we are likely to react in a
stressful manner by either avoiding going through that street
or running back home as quickly as possible.