Human Behavior and the Environment

Human Behavior and the Environment

Human behavior can negatively and positively affect the environment. Environmental psychologists are learning ways to help the environment without hurting the human race. If humans can learn to reshape and change some of their habits and behavior then it could be a positive impact on the earth. This paper will explain hour environmental cues can shape behavior, evaluate how behavior can be modified to help support sustainability and how this can limit the negative impact, show how social norms influence behavior, and identify two solutions that can change behavior and habits, lessening negative environmental impact.

Environmental Cues

According to Steg (2013), environmental cues are fundamentals that are in the environment that express vital information or activate an affective reaction. An example of this would be a person walking by a cigarette butt on the sidewalk. This would be a cue that someone did not follow the antilitter norm, and such a cue could help to influence a person's behavior. Environmental cues that strengthen behavior depend on the people in the environment (Steg, 2013). Environments that are socially empty tend to be more dangerous then environments that have people in them. When a person goes into an environment that is dark and empty, it makes it easier for the person to lower his behavior and litter, but in a well lit area where there are many people a person's behavior is going to be better, and he is less apt to litter. Also, people tend to have a lower level of behavior when they see environmental cues that show disrespect for the environment. It is easier for a person to litter if he already sees litter on the ground (Steg, 2013).

Sustainability

Sustainability is finding a balance between social, economic, and environmental aspects. In order for the environment to be sustainable there has to be a relationship that is well-balanced between the environment and humans (Steg, 2013). If this can...