What is Environmental Psychology?
Tammy Poe
PSY 460
February 13, 2012
Dr. Mike

What is Environmental Psychology?
Environmental psychology became popular in the 1950s and 1960s, and has many aspects in psychology because of its relationship between human behavior and the environment that he or she lives in. Environment refers to an individual’s social setting, which is constantly changing. Social, educational, professional, and home settings may be different environments, and different behaviors can be seen in each environment. This paper will examine the discipline of environmental psychology while comparing two theoretical approaches to environmental psychology, and explain how research is crucial to environmental psychology. Environmental psychologist’s examines real life problems in people’s everyday life.
Environmental Psychology
There are different aspects of environmental psychology are problem-oriented and includes human and environmental interactions, locally and globally. A person must know and understand that human nature predicts the environmental conditions that cause behavioral problems. According to De Young, R. (1999),”The field defines the term environment very broadly including all that is natural on the planet as well as social settings, built environments, learning environments and informational environments” (para.1). Environmental psychologists can manage, design, protect, and restore environments to increase behavior, and predict the possible outcome when certain criteria are not met. The environment can deploy stress on human, animals, and plants. On the other hand, Environmental psychology, Overview (2004), has a different view than that of De Young, their thoughts were “that environmental psychology is “the branch of psychology that studies the relationship between people and the sociophysical features of the built and natural environment in order to enhance human well-being and to improve people-environment relations” (Environmental Psychology, Overview, 2004, para.1).
This clearly shows there is a difference in opinions concerning theoretical approaches. There are several approaches ranging from Biophilia (the biological need to affiliate with nature) to nature-nurture theories. Experimental approaches are based on experiences with the social environment and the physical environment. To understand environmental psychology one must research the different theoretical approaches that have already been recorded, and consider the continuous changing of the definition-environmental psychology, and the environment.

Theoretical Approaches
The theoretical approaches that display huge differences in the discipline of environmental psychology are Biophilia and Attention Restoring Theory. According to Clayton and Myers (2009), “proposes that evolutionary pressures led humans to develop a genetically based predisposition to take a strong interest in and affiliate with nature, including plants, animals, and landscape features” (p. 81). However, Attention Restoration Theory according to Clayton & Myers (2009) The (ART) theory makes assumptions of the inherent inclination for attention, and environmental characteristics that interact with this capacity, which is an interactionist theory (p. 85). Attention Restoration Theory, on the other hand, considers that people are not obligated or made to take interest in his or her environment, but he or she are affected by the exposure to the environment. However, individuals need his or her desired environment to restore energy lost during cognitive functioning such as focusing his or her attention on one thing.
These two theories agree that humans display behaviors that shows a bond with the environment he or she lives in whether it be physical or psychological. The differences are that Biophilia proposes biological needs to be associated with nature. Attention Restoration Theory proposes that a physical need is not desired, rather a psychological bond. These two theories hold some commonalities. Both theories have been researched for years, and research is a crucial disposition in theories because it allows the scientific facts to be documented.
Research
Environmental psychology shows reciprocal relationship between the human behavior and the environment through measurements of observational studies and scientific tests. Research shows credibility, and it provides theories with assumptions and arguments. This allows room for changes and keeps society informed of different methods to help humans and the environment. According to Nisbit & Gick (2008) “in order to change people’s behaviors, research provides information hoping that this information will inspire people to change” (Nisbit & Gick, 2008, n.d.). Research is needed in order to identify changes and to explain it. Research would be able to explain their findings and think of solutions.
Conclusion
It is inevitable there is a correlation between human behavior and the environment. This correlation between human behavior and the environment is why environmental psychology exists. Differences among the professionals have led to different views on the discipline of environmental psychology; however, the study never changes. The field is still yet rather new and has much to learn, but as years pass more knowledge is gained. Like any other field of psychology the more that is learned the more questions need to be answered.

References
Clayton, S. & Myers, G. (2009). Conservation psychology. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley- Blackwell. De Young, R. (1999) Environmental Psychology. In D. E. Alexander and R. W. Fairbridge [Eds] Encyclopedia of Environmental Science. (Pp. 223-224) Hingham, MA: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Environmental Psychology, Overview. (2004). In Encyclopedia of Applied Psychology. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/entry/ estappliedpsyc/environmental_psychology_overview
Nisbet, E.K.L., & Gick, M.L. (2008). Can health psychology help the planet? Applying theory and models of health behavior to environmental actions. Canadian Psychology, 49(4), 296-303. doi:10.1037/a0013277