Intro to Environmental Psychology

Environmental Psychology

The Root of the Human Condition

PSY/460

January 30,2012

Simone F. Senhouse, PhD

Environmental Psychology: The Root of the Human Condition

What is Environmental Psychology? How is it applied to problems and questions concerning the human condition? In this paper we will explore these and other questions regarding Environmental Psychology. We will look at the theoretical approaches and their applications within this diverse field. We will examine the role that research plays in field and how it enables the field to evolve and resolve some of today’s most pressing questions. We will also take a look at some of the more common applications of Environmental Psychology.

We begin by defining the term Environmental Psychology as it is used in this paper. It is defined as “an interdisciplinary field of study dedicated to the interrelations between human beings and their surroundings. It is important to understand that in Environmental Psychology the concept of environment is a fairly broad one encompassing environments such as natural, social, built, learning, and even informational. The term Environmental Psychology is well known and generally accepted; however there are other terms that are sometimes used instead such as human factor science, architectural psychology, behavioral geography, or even environmental design research. No matter what it is termed the intent remains the same; to define and study the relationship that people have with their various environments (Baer, Pinkston & Wright, 1997).

Theoretical Approaches

The roots of Environmental Psychology can be traced back to Kurt Lewin and Roger barker; both of whom challenged the standard concepts of isolated psychology. It was through this challenge that they defined the field and research we now associate with Environmental Psychology. Lewin took a holistic approach to psychology as he considered the psychological impact of the whole versus that of sections or...