Environmental Psychology in Basic Terms, Environmental Psychology

Environmental Psychology

In basic terms, environmental psychology is taken to be an interdisciplinary subject mainly concerned with the interplay between individuals and that which surrounds them. In this text, I come up with a concise and clear definition of environmental psychology as a discipline. In so doing, I will also identify the main differences and similarities between two environmental psychology theoretical approaches. Further, I will highlight the relevance of research in the environmental psychology field.

Environmental Psychology: A Concise Definition

According to Nagar (2006), the environmental psychology field was initially known as "architectural psychology." This according to the author was based on the field's roots where the focus was chiefly on features (physical) of building design and how it impacted on the behavior of humans. According to Cassidy (1997), various definitions of environmental psychology have been formulated over time by a number of authors. One of the definitions floated according to Cassidy views environmental psychology as a discipline that concerns itself with the study of the human behavior-physical environment interrelationships. Another definition of environmental psychology which is slightly similar to the one I outline above views environmental psychology as an investigation or inquiry of how people transact with their physical settings. It can be noted that the definitions I highlight above both have a common denominator; that is, how individuals interrelate with their environment. Further, from the various definitions of environmental psychology, it remains clear that in so far as the environment influences a person, an individual also does have a significant impact on the environment (Cassidy 1997).

Cassidy (1997) also notes that the definitions of environmental psychology (as highlighted above) are further captured by a well-known equation written as B= f (P, E). In this equation outlined by Lewis, the behavior (B) of an individual is a function of the individual (P) and the Environment (E) and how the two interact.

Theoretical Approaches to Environmental Psychology: Similarities and Differences

In explaining the interrelation between behavior, experience and the environment; environmental psychology utilizes quite a number of human psychology perspectives. With that in mind, it can be noted that environmental psychology principles are founded on a number of theories which are sourced from a constellation of fields including psychology, architecture, biology and even urban planning. These theories include but are of course not limited to stimulus load theories and arousal theories (Thomas et. al. 2005).

The arousal theories speculate that there is an existing relationship between arousal and performance in such a way that an increase in arousal leads to an increase in performance (Coon and Mitterer, 2006). However, this only takes place up to a certain point. Arousal theories in relation to environmental psychology suggest that when it comes to such things as personal space invasion, noise levels etc.; arousal intermediate levels are optimal. When it comes to stimulus load theories, they differ with arousal theories in that in this case, there is an insistence that the capacity of human beings to process information is finite. In that regard, when this finite information processing capacity is reached, attention tends to be focused on those stimuli which come across as being rather critical to the task being undertaken. Hence basically, the stimulus load theories seek to bring out how stimuli and performance interact.

It can be noted that when it comes to the similarities, both the stimulus load theories and the arousal theories underscore the interrelationship between the environment (external) and its impression (psychological). Further, both theories infer that depreciation of performance can be brought about by over-stimulation or over-arousal.

The Importance of Research in the Environmental Psychology Field

It can be noted that when it comes to environmental psychology, researchers can utilize a number of research methods. These methods include field experimentation, field studies (correlational) and laboratory experimentation. In my own opinion, the relevance of research in environmental psychology cannot be overstated. For instance, research in environmental psychology can help us understand criminal behavior. This assertion is largely founded on the interplay that exists between the physical environment and crime. Indeed, previous research in this area has led to the emergence of a number of theories and principles including the principles of landscape aesthetics and incivilities theory. Further, research in the environmental psychology field could shed more light on the nature of environmental stressors so as to help policy makers come up with well-designed policies i.e. In emergency planning.