What is environmental psychology?

Listen to voices as authoritative as that of Terri Swearingen, who affirms that “We live on Earth as if we had another one to go to,” makes you think This is how we understand why Environmental psychology is increasing in popularity day by day.

In this sense, it is worth remembering that Kurt Lewin was one of the first psychologists to study this very topic. He emerged as a pioneer capable of making us see for the first time the influence that the environment could have on our behavior. Hence realities such as stress, greater or lesser productivity and even well-being.

To understand what exactly environmental psychology is, we can imagine, for example, in an office and all the dynamics that occur there. If there is harmony, respect and motivation, employees will feel good and the company will achieve its objectives. However, If the environmental climate is oppressive, rigid and inhabited by negative emotions, discomfort will be evident.

The truth is that in recent years this topic has grown in importance and recognition. That’s why In this article we echo its postulates, its objectives, its approaches and practical uses.

What is environmental psychology?

Environmental psychology is responsible for analyzing the relationship between people and the environment.. In this case, two types of environments are distinguished: natural ones and those created by humans. That is to say, its theoretical field is interdisciplinary and focuses on the behavioral and psychological variables related to our interaction in the various environments that surround us.

In this way, studies such as those carried out by doctor Robert Gifford professor of psychology at the School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria, in Canada, tells us the following:

This science focuses its study on examining fundamental processes such as the perception of landscapes and buildings by a person or groups of people.Relational processes, personality, attitudes, emotions and cognitions are also analyzed.It is important to take into account aspects such as overcrowding, the built environment, and the existence or not of natural spaces.

It is understandable that the interest in this field of study is maximum, since the relationship between people and media is inseparable. Thus, you can analyze situations such as a child’s academic performance depending on the classroom in which he or she is located or the psychological state of a person in a polluted city, to give a couple of easy-to-understand examples.

This psychological field deals with predict ways in which variables in the physical environment will influence people. An ethical component can be extrapolated from the interaction of both actors, which seeks formulas to find global solutions in various areas, from business to personal.

How is this discipline applied?

Since human beings are increasingly aware of caring for the planet and the environment, this psychological discipline has gained popularity. In fact, Its implementation has grown a lot from an ecological point of view.

However, this type of psychology has also grown a lot in terms of performance. Nowadays Architectural environments are sought that promote certain behaviorssuch as high productivity, increased performance, a more relaxed mood, etc.

Also in public aspects, such as urban planning, this discipline is taken into account.Greater well-being of the individual is sought in a more sociable and comfortable environment. Regarding the business environment, as we have mentioned previously, the search for greater employee well-being usually results in high productivity. Therefore, its application also has interesting consequences.

Approaches to environmental psychology

Once we know what environmental psychology is and what it consists of, it is worth delving deeper into its current work approaches.

1. Solution to environmental problems

In general, The main field of action focuses on identification and resolution of environmental problems. We work on the actions of human beings to draw up a plan that can solve human actions when correcting errors.

In this sense, The discipline focuses a lot on the habitability of cities and the care of natural environments. To achieve this, we are working to reduce pollution levels globally.

2. Analysis of social and psychological factors

It is often used in social integration programs. It is due to its ability to analyze psychological and social factors in specific areas. Thus, experts on the subject such as environmental psychologist Harold Proshansky point out to us that this science in turn has a very clear purpose based on values.

Their commitment, after all, is to improve society through the identification of problems.

4. Influence of the past

Another common approach to this discipline is related to the influence of past factors on current problems in a specific place. The evolution and variables are analyzed over time to study the possible relationship.

5. Interdisciplinary approaches

We also find an interdisciplinary approach, since They are usually integrated with other fields of study, such as cognitive, developmental or even organizational psychology. As we have already mentioned, environmental psychology is also applied in design, architecture, economics, planning, politics, etc.

There is no doubt that this is a discipline as unknown as it is exciting. Human beings are the product of a planet that sees us born and die. Hence Our relationship with the environment and the environment is basic to define ourselves as a species.

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