IOP1503
NOTES
,1. Why Environmental Psychology
1.1. Definitions
1.1.1. Environment
Setting within which behaviour takes place
Can be unspecified, natural, human-made or work-related.
1.1.2. Environmental psychology
The study of human behaviour and well-being in relation to the environment.
1.1.3. Individual behaviour
Individual reaction to certain environmental stimuli.
1.2. Meaning of environmental psychology
• Multidisciplinary
• Behavioural science – studies human-environment interaction
• Systematic interrelationship – orderly, predictable relationship between dependent
systems
• Environment – setting within which behaviour takes place
• Individual behaviour – individual’s reaction to certain environmental stimuli
1.3. Impact we have on the work environment
1.3.1. Relationship: Humans & natural environment
Human health is affected by environment, genetic factors & personal behaviour
(Healthy People 2010 Study)
Outdoor air quality (Air pollution)
o Cause premature death, cancer & long term damage to respiratory and
cardiovascular systems
o Reduces visibility
o Damages crops and buildings
o Deposits pollutants in soil and water
Water quality
o Contaminated water ->cholera etc.
Toxins and waste
Healthy homes and communities
Infrastructure and surveillance
1.3.2. Impact of environment on business organisations
Vision and strategy of organisation
4
, Align financial motivation with sustainable development
Empowering employees with environmental knowledge & skills
Organisational culture
Research & development
Marketing
Implementation of ethical business practice
1.4. Current trends influencing environmental psychology
• Population trends (population growth)
• Resource depletion and environmental degradation
o Soil erosion & waste
o Depletion of non-renewable resources ( electricity, gas, uranium, fossil fuels)
• Public policy & the environment
o Soil management & reforestation
o Interest in conservation
• Human behaviour
1.5. Significance of ‘environment’
Definition:
• An unspecified physical setting or social backdrop
• Any natural or human-made setting
• Any work-setting determined by a discipline such as building design
1.6. Behavioural formula
A behavioural formula used to
• understand environmental psychology,
• summarising the relationship that exists between
o a person in a particular environment and
o the behaviour or reaction that one could expect from this interaction.
B=f(P,E)
B = Behaviour or reaction
f = Function
P = Person/Organism
E = Environment/ Place/ Setting
1.7. Assumptions: relationship between natural environment and humans
• Earth is the only suitable environment
• Earth’s resources are limited
• Earth has been and is continued to be influenced by human behaviour
5
NOTES
,1. Why Environmental Psychology
1.1. Definitions
1.1.1. Environment
Setting within which behaviour takes place
Can be unspecified, natural, human-made or work-related.
1.1.2. Environmental psychology
The study of human behaviour and well-being in relation to the environment.
1.1.3. Individual behaviour
Individual reaction to certain environmental stimuli.
1.2. Meaning of environmental psychology
• Multidisciplinary
• Behavioural science – studies human-environment interaction
• Systematic interrelationship – orderly, predictable relationship between dependent
systems
• Environment – setting within which behaviour takes place
• Individual behaviour – individual’s reaction to certain environmental stimuli
1.3. Impact we have on the work environment
1.3.1. Relationship: Humans & natural environment
Human health is affected by environment, genetic factors & personal behaviour
(Healthy People 2010 Study)
Outdoor air quality (Air pollution)
o Cause premature death, cancer & long term damage to respiratory and
cardiovascular systems
o Reduces visibility
o Damages crops and buildings
o Deposits pollutants in soil and water
Water quality
o Contaminated water ->cholera etc.
Toxins and waste
Healthy homes and communities
Infrastructure and surveillance
1.3.2. Impact of environment on business organisations
Vision and strategy of organisation
4
, Align financial motivation with sustainable development
Empowering employees with environmental knowledge & skills
Organisational culture
Research & development
Marketing
Implementation of ethical business practice
1.4. Current trends influencing environmental psychology
• Population trends (population growth)
• Resource depletion and environmental degradation
o Soil erosion & waste
o Depletion of non-renewable resources ( electricity, gas, uranium, fossil fuels)
• Public policy & the environment
o Soil management & reforestation
o Interest in conservation
• Human behaviour
1.5. Significance of ‘environment’
Definition:
• An unspecified physical setting or social backdrop
• Any natural or human-made setting
• Any work-setting determined by a discipline such as building design
1.6. Behavioural formula
A behavioural formula used to
• understand environmental psychology,
• summarising the relationship that exists between
o a person in a particular environment and
o the behaviour or reaction that one could expect from this interaction.
B=f(P,E)
B = Behaviour or reaction
f = Function
P = Person/Organism
E = Environment/ Place/ Setting
1.7. Assumptions: relationship between natural environment and humans
• Earth is the only suitable environment
• Earth’s resources are limited
• Earth has been and is continued to be influenced by human behaviour
5
