...What Is Environmental Psychology Environmental psychology is a discipline or field of psychology dealing with conservation and health psychologies. There are many theoretical approaches to environmental psychology. Several of these theories also tie into individual psychology as well. Two of the theories that connect both these psychologies are the alderian theory and Barker’s theory of under population. Research is very important to both the theories and environmental psychology as a field. Research and the lack of visible results was one of the reasons this field was born from the conservationist field of psychology. Environmental Psychology Environmental psychology examines the interrelationship between environments and human behavior and in this field the term environment is defined very broadly to include all that is natural on the planet as well as social settings, built environments, learning environments and informational environments (Young, 1999). From the beginning, environmental psychology has included researchers concerned with the health of the environment, and a great deal of research relevant to conservation psychology has been done by environmental psychologists (Clayton & Myers, 2009). Environmental psychologies roots come from late 1960s studies and research of other fields, although its exact origin is somewhat unknown (Clayton & Myers, 2009). There are many theories about this particular field of study – environmental psychology. Theories...
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...What is Environmental Psychology? Paper Psychology is a broad and ever-growing field that involves the study of the human mind and behavior. Within the field of psychology, there are various different branches, or sub-fields, one of which is environmental psychology. This branch of psychology focuses on the relationship between individuals and their surroundings, such as their natural environments, social environments, built environments, learning environments, and informational environments (De Young, 1999). One of the main goals of the field of environmental psychology is to solve complex environmental problems for the betterment of individual well-being within society. Throughout the course of this paper, the discipline of environmental psychology will be examined. This paper will define the discipline of environmental psychology, compare and contrast at least two major theoretical approaches to environmental psychology, and explain the importance of research within the field of environmental psychology. Environment Psychology Defined Environmental psychology is a relatively new branch of psychology that focuses on the study of the interrelationship between the environment and human behavior. Within this field, the term environment is broadly defined to include the natural, or physical, environments, the social environments, built environments, learning environments, and informational environments (De Young, 1999). Unlike other braches of psychology, such as cultural...
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...Social psychology is the scientific field that seeks to understand the nature and causes of the individual behavior and thought in social situation. Social psychology investigates the ways in which our thoughts, feelings, and actions are influenced by the social environments in which we live. Social interactions help to shape who we are and how we act in different situations. The factors affecting social interaction fall into five major categories. They are the actions and characteristics of others, basic cognitive processes, ecological variables, cultural context and biological factors. The Cognitive processes such as perception, memory and inferences play a key role on the understanding and behavior of every individual in the society. Reactions to certain situations by an individual strongly depend on the memories of others past behaviors and the inferences an individual formed about these behaviors. If anybody wants to clearly understand the causes of others behavior in a social situation it is a must that one should understand what went on in the thinking pattern and understanding process of those people when they behaved in a particular social situation. For example, if your friend sets an appointment with you in a particular time. You are waiting for him at a particular point in a particular time, if he comes late what would be your reaction. In such a situation, cognitive process plays a crucial role in the social behavior and social thoughts of every individual....
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...Social psychology is the scientific field that seeks to understand the nature and causes of the individual behavior and thought in social situation. Social psychology investigates the ways in which our thoughts, feelings, and actions are influenced by the social environments in which we live. Social interactions help to shape who we are and how we act in different situations. The factors affecting social interaction fall into five major categories. They are the actions and characteristics of others, basic cognitive processes, ecological variables, cultural context and biological factors. The Cognitive processes such as perception, memory and inferences play a key role on the understanding and behavior of every individual in the society. Reactions to certain situations by an individual strongly depend on the memories of others past behaviors and the inferences an individual formed about these behaviors. If anybody wants to clearly understand the causes of others behavior in a social situation it is a must that one should understand what went on in the thinking pattern and understanding process of those people when they behaved in a particular social situation. For example, if your friend sets an appointment with you in a particular time. You are waiting for him at a particular point in a particular time, if he comes late what would be your reaction. In such a situation, cognitive process plays a crucial role in the social behavior and social thoughts of every individual...
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...ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY INTRODUCTION: In play, the stage and scenery provide the context of what is going on: the kind of room the characters are in, the way it is decorated, and the amount and nature of its furnishings help us to interpret what is happening. They provide meaning for the actor’s and actresses’ actions and determine where they can walk, lean, or otherwise interact with props. For the play, the stage and scenery is the environment in which the story unfolds. The meaning of behaviour on the stage and what cab and cannot be done are determined by this environment. The theater would be far less entertaining or educational without the context provided by its environment. ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: In real life, our behaviour also occurs in the context of an environment, one that is constantly changing and rich in information. Unlike the setting on a stage, however, it provides more than meaning. Our environment also provides us with basic needs for life, including food, water, and air to breathe. It is also modified by our actions, and is irrevocably altered whenever one of us changes it. Our environment includes all of our natural and built surroundings, and is delicately balanced system that can easily be bruised or damaged. Whenever we change some part of it, other parts also change, and these other changes may be unintended or even dangerous. Concerns about what we were doing to our environment reached unprecedented prominence in the 1960s and have continued...
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...Environmental Psychology PSY 460 Environmental Psychology Many individuals are familiar with Counseling Psychology, and many think psychology only deals with mental problems. However, the field of psychology has various disciplines that apply to every aspect of human life. One of those disciplines is Environmental Psychology. Individual’s interactions with his or her man-made or natural environment can have an impact on psychological health and behavior. Environmental psychologists research how people interact within his or her everyday environment. There are several theoretical approaches to the discipline of environmental psychology, which will be discussed further. The important contributions of environmental psychology come from research, and the relevance of research in the field is imperative to understanding the discipline as a whole. What is Environmental Psychology? The field of environmental psychology can best be condensed into an interdisciplinary psychological science that is concerned with the interactions of humans and his or her surrounding environment. Environmental psychologists research both the details and the overall effects of environment on human emotion and behavior (Fisher, 2007). The discipline of environmental psychology involves everything from architecture design to ecological impact. Many environmental psychologists will seek help from other scientific disciplines to aid in his or her research and work within the field of study. The overall goal...
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...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...
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...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...
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...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...
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...Environmental Psychology Paper Robyn A. Cole August 13, 2012 PSY 460 Edward A. Muhammad, M.S. Environmental Psychology For more than the past ten years, the field of psychology has covered drawn out analysis and delved into the correlation among human beings and the environment. Clayton and Myers state that, “Recent quantitative assessments of the human impact on nature give a sobering picture: the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment found that about 60% of the earth’s ecosystem services are being used unsustainably” (2009, p. 1). This study has implies that ecological changes affect the revolutionalization in human behavior. The force of continuing environmental changes persistently influence human behavior and the progression of human thinking. Each day instances of climate changes will allow for increasing consciousness of the requirement to recycle, reusable plastic bags, and empty bottles, reduction of the garbage that is deserted in the waste dumping sites every year. Case in point, this motivates a knowledgeable community which stimulates inventive ideas and studies. Consequentially, this encourages people and community to feel good and inspires others to improve, recycle, and salvage better. In this paper we will define the discipline of environmental psychology, compare and contrast two major theoretical approaches, and explain the importance of research in the field of environmental psychology. The field of environmental psychology started in...
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...Psychology Careers Lisa Barnes May 3, 2015 BEH/225 Professor Nancy Ault Psychology is one of the most rewarding fields of study and work that can make a positive impact on both the psychologist and the individual or group of individuals seeking psychological therapy and advice. Although there are a variety of careers in the field of psychology, the two that I find most interesting are Behavioral Therapist and Environmental Psychologist. One focuses on the individual themselves while the other focus on their environment at home or work. The key components of both of these career fields is to provide a social setting for learning, information, and a safe environment with access to a variety of resources that can help people deal with personal issues. Behavior therapy is focused on helping an individual understand how changing their behavior can lead to changes in how they are feeling. (Herkov, 2013) Basically the goal in this type of therapy is to get the individual to participate in bettering themselves in a positive way, whether it be for themselves or socially. Many of these techniques include Role playing, scheduling of weekly activities, self-monitoring and behavior modification. This field is my top choice as I have grown interest in this field since my son was diagnosed with being on the Autism Spectrum. Many schools designed for Autism use ABA (applied behavioral analysis) which is a program of behavior therapy that helps the individual reach success in...
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...is about critically comparing and contrasting the community psychology and public health approaches to social problems. Firstly I will define the concepts involved, secondly I will briefly discuss historical context of both community psychology and public health and lastly I will discuss approaches. . The comparison will be based upon prevention and health promotion, empowerment, individual wellness and citizen participation 2. Definition of concepts Community psychology is all about how individuals relate to the society in which they live. Public health on the other hand is defined as being concerned with preventing disease and distress. Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals. On the other hand, community psychology is fundamentally concerned with the relationship between social systems and individual well-being in the community context. Community psychology aims to promote human welfare. Community psychology focuses on economic, environmental, political and social factors that influence the way in which people all over the world live their lives. It also focuses on social issues which contribute to, or cause, problems in various societies. In contrast to community psychology, public health incorporates environmental health, community...
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...Environmental Psychology Article Analysis Introduction to Article Analysis For the majority of the human population there has been an event or events that possibly produced an occurrence that had a large impact upon the persons’ overall perception and ability to function regularly. In some instances individuals are able to overcome the occurrence or event, but for some such events can trigger a potent impact that can create an eruption in their cognitive response, when this occurs it is usually diagnosed as being Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. The following brief analysis was written from context to an article titled “Ecological Analysis of Early Adolescents’ Stress Responses to 9/11 in Washington, DC Area. The following analysis of the article in mention will include a brief description of the article and its contents as well as the 9/11 events. Lastly, a discussion on some of the influences that this specific event may or may not have had on the field of environmental psychology will be briefly looked into. Summarization of Article September 11, 2001 was a day that will be remembered here in America for many centuries to come. On that horrific day back in 2001 terrorists’ high jacked multiple airlines and began their rain of terror upon the U.S. Some of the planes were flown directly into the twin towers in New York City, while others were flown directly towards our nations capitol in Washington DC. Many individuals were greatly affected...
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...Global Warming Global warming has been an alarming issue for many years and poses a current and future threat to the environment. Several years ago when global warming was initially addressed, the government panicked assuming that humans are the cause. Others believe that the earth’s natural resources are the root of the problem. Scientists still are not sure who’s to blame. It may be a combination of humans and natural resources. Despite the cause, global warming has a direct impact on environmental psychology. Johannessen (2011), published an article in the New York Times addressing Global warming and climate change and what effects it has not only on the environment but also on the people and other organisms that live in such environments. Johannessen thinks that the United Nations should provide resources necessary to adapt to changes in the climate to people who live in underdeveloped or poor nations. The United Nations has funded global talks but conflict still exists (Johannessen, 2011). Well-known controversies surrounding the issue are: conflicting responsibilities of industrialized and developing nations, deciding how to generate money to help poor nations adapt, the stress of protecting tropical forests, and the need to develop and organize clean energy technology (Johannessen, 2011). According to the National Geographic (2012, para 1), global warming is the releasing of heat-trapping gases released when humans power their modern lives. The gases are at its...
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...Chapter 1—What Is Psychology? Learning Goals 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Explain what psychology is and how it developed. Describe six contemporary approaches to psychology. Describe two movements that reflect a positive approach to psychology. Evaluate careers and areas of specialization in psychology. Apply some strategies that will help you succeed in psychology. After studying Chapter 1, you will be able to: Define psychology. Describe the influence that philosophy, biology, and physiology had on the beginnings of psychology as a science. Compare the two early scientific approaches in psychology: structuralism and functionalism. Describe the focus of each of the six contemporary approaches to psychology. Describe the positive psychology movement, and discuss why this movement recently emerged in psychology. Discuss career opportunities in psychology. Profile the main areas of specialization in psychology. Say how studying habits may be optimized. Understand how to be a critical thinker. CHAPTER 1: OUTLINE Psychology is a science dedicated to the study of behavior and mental processes. In this chapter you are introduced to the history of this science, a variety of contemporary perspectives in psychology, the positive psychology movement, and an overview of psychology-related careers. At the end of the chapter, the reader learns about the most effective methods of studying and learning. There are three concepts important to the definition of psychology: science...
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