Psy/460 - Week One Short Answer

Environmental psychology is likely to be a new field for you, although many of the concepts are probably familiar. Provide your own definition of the discipline. Discuss an important milestone or influence in the development of environmental psychology and provide reasoning as to why you chose this one.

Environmental psychology is a branch of psychology that studies how the environment affects individuals, and vice-verse. There is a reciprocal relationship between people and the environment they live in, as they both affect each other. The relationship between nature and the human species has been an object of study for many decades, and understanding this relationship can help individuals learn about the importance of conserving and maintaining the world that supports them (Steg, 2013). The environment provides humans with food, water, air, and all the other necessities individuals need to survive, even if, in a world dominated by technology and progress, it is easy to forget that one way or another, everything we need to survive comes from the earth. Environmental psychology focuses not only on the physical influences humans and environment have on each other, but also in which ways nature affects individuals’ behaviors. One important aspect of this discipline is the belief that people’s behaviors are not determined solely by the environment (Steg, 2013). Most psychologists in this area believe in free will, as being the power individuals have to change their behaviors, and consequently, to change the environment.

Although it is difficult to point out one single event that influenced the development of the field of environmental psychology, it is safe to say that in the beginning of the 21^st century it was clear to see that man-caused issues such as pollution and deforestation had consequences like climate changing, poor air quality, and more. At this time, the world was introduced to the concept of sustainability, which refers to the healthy and balanced integration between environmental, social, political, economic, and natural factors (Steg, 2013). The introduction of this broad concept has allowed the world to understand the importance of respecting the earth and promoting a “great” way of thinking. Environmental psychology researches not only the relationship between human and nature, but also ways that this relationship can develop without damaging the planet (Steg, 2013).

Reference

Steg, L. (2013). Environmental psychology: An introduction. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.