...Environmental Psychology Crystal Sperduto PSY460 The field of environmental psychology is a new demographic to the world of psychology. Environmental psychology is the effects the environment around one has on the said individual as well as the effect the individual has on the environment in return. There are more individuals that are aware as well as conscious the environment has, as well see what the effect they have on the environment as vice versa. In this paper, the major theoretical approaches, a more definitive overview of this discipline, as well as discuss the importance of research in the field of environmental psychology. Environmental Psychology It is described by Veitch and Arkkelin (1995) as “a behavioral science that investigates, with an eye toward enhancing, the interrelationships between the physical environment and human behavior” (p. 4). environmental psychology is derived from many different factors and disciplines such as psychological, spiritual, and physical natures when determining how the environment effects behaviors. In return environmental psychology also describes how one passively effects the environment. (Veitch & Arkkelin, 1995, p. 5). In this particular field of psychology it shows the relationship between of people and the environment it is surrounded by. By applying the social sciences such as sociology, economics and natural science. Society has become more aware of the interaction between the two due to the correlation becoming...
Words: 955 - Pages: 4
...According to the Chapter 1 text book, Environmental Psychology examines the influence of the environment on human experiences, behaviors, and the well-being of the individual. An important milestone in the development of environmental psychology was during the early 20th century when scholar Hellpach introduced the term environmental psychology and began to study the different environmental stimuli and its effect on human activities. The topics presented by Hellpach are considerable, yet too early to speak of environmental psychology as an independent field. An important milestone in the development of environmental psychology occurred in 1902 with the analysis of culture and the nervous system, presented by Wundt’s student, Willy Hellpach. In 1911, Hellpach continues his studies with the publication of Geopsyche in which he analyzes the effects of climatic and geographical differences at the macro, mezzo, and micro levels. Furthermore, Hellpach’s writings within Geopsyche, explain the effect of the sun and the moon and its relationships towards people’s activities; the effect of color and form; the effect of extreme environments; the effect of urban microclimates, etc. Hellpach believes the goal of studies in environmental psychology should not be “artificially individualized psychic life” but rather “the psyche in as far as it depends on its factual environment” (Hellpach, 1924: 110). Brunswik and Lewin are known to be the ‘founding fathers’ of environmental psychology...
Words: 375 - Pages: 2
...What is Environmental Psychology? Lara Spalding PSY460 October 3, 2011 Dr. Simone Senhouse What is Environmental Psychology? Environmental psychologist focus on how the environment affects one psychologically as far as behavior and social reactions. “Environment” was defined as the physical (rather than social) context, including both natural and built components.” (Clayton & Myers, 2009, p.6) Some people become anxious and nervous during storms and some relax during storms. Whenever the seasons change some become ill with allergies and sinuses as other feel better in different seasons. One may experience fear when thinking of a major drought in different parts of the world and others do not have this fear as he or she is not dealing with drought issues in his or her area. Environmental psychology focuses on how the environment affects different ones in different environmental issues. “Environmental psychology is a specialty within psychology that studies the reciprocal influences of people and their environments, characterized by both systematic theory and a concern for practical application.” (Clayton & Myers, 2009, p. 209) Discipline of Environmental Psychology Psychologist discipline in environmental psychology is not only to research but also to have an understanding of human behavior and promote human welfare while in research, studies, and treatment (Clayton & Myers, 2009). “Psychology is one of the core disciplines that contribute to the broad set...
Words: 704 - Pages: 3
...Environmental Risk Perception Paper Christin Patchin PSY460 - Environmental Psychology Aaron Graczyk August 31, 2015 Introduction Environmental risks are visible to individuals’ everyday of their lives. Steg (2013), “environmental changes, pollution and technologies bear the possibility of harmful and long-lasting consequences for both human and nature” (p.16). With every individual being different from each other what one perceives as a risk might not be a risk to another and how they believe these risks affect them. Hence, the belief of an individual concerning an environmental risk can influence his or her perception of the risk. Risk perceptions are the subjective judgments concerning the risk associated with a certain technology, activity, or event (Steg, 2013). Different aspects in an individual’s life like ethics, morals, and values might influence perceived environmental risk. Environmental risks are also known to affect individuals’ emotionally which can make unwanted stress happen, in regard to the effects of these risks on nature and humans. One of the most talked about environmental risk is global warming; this happens when the average temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere and the oceans gradually increase. These increases are permanent temperature changes to the oceans and atmosphere, which result from vast amounts of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere from the continual use of fossil fuels. Unfortunately, this possesses a risk to the well...
Words: 1110 - Pages: 5
...The Effects of Population Density and Noise Paper PSY460 Introduction Living different types of lifestyles can be from being raised in an urban or rural environment. Daily stressors are formed from the simplest things in life to the most over populated part of a city. During this paper we are able to learn about the concept of each affects that territory, privacy and personal spaces. How nature can affect the way of living to urban areas or how it can help other areas in the urban city. Noise to most people can be understanding and yet very draining depending on the situation. Learning about different environments makes a better understanding of how each person reflects on life and how they live it. Territory A territorial area is what is most important to humans, their property that they want to keep secluded from others. This is easily the privacy and personal space of humans that the owner wants others to see being territorial ties into all aspect s of privacy and personal. Not only are humans territorial but so are animals. There are many different signs for animals to show another animals territory. With birds singing, bears making claw marks in the trees to cats peeing to mark their territory making others know where they stand. As the cultures of others become to clash and become different is when people start to mark they land, they property making it know that what once was welcomed is not trespassing. Most people who have territory make it know with sign...
Words: 1485 - Pages: 6
...The Effects of Population Density and Noise Paper Your Name PSY460 Date Instructor Name The Effects of Population Density and Noise Paper * Concepts of Territoriality, Privacy, and Personal Space Territoriality refers to a limited district for a person or animal and the tendency to defend an area of territory (Oxford, 1042); whereas personal, or one’ private space indicates the region humans or animals designate as their own. The relationship between the thoughts of territoriality, privacy, and personal personal space to population mass is associated with behavior. For example, Rubenstein (1980) examined changes in population mass and supply patterns, and noted how these changes affects the hostile behavior of the small sunfish. According to Rubenstein, the means by which small sunfish contend for nourishment is swayed by the mass of the inhabitants, the dispersal of victims, and the gender domination position of a person. Studies on territorial rights showed that Increases in prey dispersion reduced the proportion of battles over possessions in both low and high mass populations (Morrell & Koko, 200). Morrell & Koko sought to explain how animals establish territorial ownership, which is viewed as a major determinant of fitness in territorial animals. Some other behavioral characteristics associated with the establishment of territories include: (a) subordinates initiate fights over resources; (b) initiators are unlikely to contest prey in low mass inhabitants;...
Words: 1512 - Pages: 7
...The Effects of Population Density (PSY460) The Effects of Population DensityThe term population density is described as little more than the ratio of organisms to the size of an area (Xpeditions, 2008). This ratio is determined by taking the number of people in a given area and dividing that number by the area they occupy. As of the last U.S. census, the average population density of the United States was 70 people per square mile (Xpeditions, 2008). This is just an objective fact though and has little, if any, applicability to the average American’s daily life. However, when issues of excess population noise and decreased privacy are taken into account the subjective perception of population density meets the objective fact of population density. As population density increases so does the noise that the population produces, especially in crowded areas. Likewise, as people move to a more confined area the ability to maintain privacy and a sense of territoriality adapts and changes. To fully understand how population density affects individual people, the concepts of noise, privacy, territoriality, and personal space must be covered and the relevance of these concepts—and mediation thereof—must be applied to the subject of populations. NoiseNoise is in the ear of the beholder, or so it would seem. Strictly speaking, noise is any sound—a wave that travel through an air medium—that is unwanted or interferes with the normal transmission of acoustic information (Arkkelin & Veitch...
Words: 1631 - Pages: 7