Environmental Psychology
PSY 460
University of Phoenix
June 24, 2015
Environmental Psychology
Environmental psychology is the study of how the environment affects humans. There is a reciprocal relationship between people and the environment they live in, as in 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 and maintaining the world that supports them (Steg, 2013). The environment provides man with food, water, air and all other needs to survive on the earth. Even though we live in a world dominated by technology, we easily forget that we need the earth to survive and everything to survive comes from the earth.
Environmental psychology does not only give attention to the physical influences that humans and the environment have on each other, but also the ways nature affects humans. An important aspect of this discipline is the belief that people’s behaviors are not determined solely by the environment (Steg, 2013). In pin pointing a single event that influenced the development of environmental psychology, is very difficult. However, the beginning of the 21st century opened our eyes to man related problems such as pollution and deforestation, which brought about serious problems such as climate change and poor air quality. Also at this time, we were introduced to the concept of sustainability. This refers to the healthy and balanced integration between environmental, social, political, economic and natural factors (Steg, 2013)
The introduction of this broad idea has allowed the world to understand the importance o0f respecting the earth and promotes a way of thinking about the environment. Environmental psychology researches not only the relationship between humans and nature, but also ways that this relationship can develop without damaging the planet...