Environmental psychology delves into the dynamic relationship between individuals and their surroundings. It aims to comprehend the effects of the environment on human behaviour and well-being, identify ways to harness this understanding beneficially and explore avenues for enhancing our connection with our surroundings.

Environmental psychologists examine the interplay between human behaviour and the environment, focusing on how the environment influences behaviour and how people's behaviours and attitudes impact the environment.¹ Their research encompasses various environments, including the "built environment" such as homes, offices, and cities. They explore how different spaces affect individuals and how to design spaces that promote well-being. 

Topics explored in environmental psychology

Environmental psychologists study a wide range of topics. These areas include:¹

• Perception and evaluation of buildings and natural landscapes
• Cognitive mapping, spatial cognition, and wayfinding
• Ecological impacts of human activities
• Assessment of buildings and natural environments
• Design and user experiences of physical spaces such as workplaces, schools, residences, public buildings, and public areas
• Leisure and tourism behaviours concerning physical settings
• Interpretation and significance of built environments
• Psychological and behavioural interactions between people and nature
• Theories of place, including place attachment and place identity
• Psychological aspects of resource management and crisis response
• Perception, behaviour, and management of environmental risks and hazards
• Stress-related to physical environments
• Social use of space, including concepts of crowding, privacy, territoriality, and personal space

Concepts and theories in environmental psychology

Environmental psychology encompasses numerous theories explaining our interactions with our surroundings. These theories generally fall into a few main perspectives:¹

Geographical determinism

Geographical determinism posits that the rise and fall of entire civilisations are influenced by environmental factors such as topography, climate, vegetation, and water availability. Proponents believe that excessive environmental challenges can lead to the collapse of civilisations, while insufficient challenges can cause cultural stagnation. These factors significantly impact societal values and communal living and working patterns.

Ecological biology

The ecological biology perspective is based on the interdependence between organisms and their environment. It views organisms as integral components of their ecosystems rather than separate entities. This perspective facilitates the study of the intricate interdependencies within ecosystems.

Behaviourism

Behaviourists emphasise context's importance, arguing that environmental and personal contexts (e.g., personality, dispositions, attitudes, and experiences) are crucial determinants of behaviour. Despite behaviourism's decline as the leading psychological perspective, its focus on contextual factors remains influential.

Gestalt psychology

Gestalt psychology contrasts with behaviourism by focusing on perception and cognition. Gestalt theorists argue that environmental stimuli are not merely objective factors, instead, the emphasis is on how individuals perceive and interpret these stimuli.

To delve deeper into environmental psychology, here are some specific theories that provide insight into the field:

Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)

TPB suggests that people select options with the highest benefits and lowest costs (in terms of energy, time and money). The behaviours we engage in result from our intentions, which are influenced by our attitudes toward the behaviour, social norms, and our perceived control over the behaviour.² TPB has effectively explained various environmental behaviours, such as travel mode choices, recycling, water use, and general pro-environmental actions.

Norm-Activation Model (NAM)

NAM explains altruistic and environmentally friendly behaviours, proposing that personal norms are more influential than social norms in determining behaviour.³

Value-Belief-Norm theory (VBN)

VBN theory posits that people act pro-environmentally when they feel a moral obligation to do so. This moral obligation can stem from personal morals, external social norms, or both.

Where do environmental psychologists work?

Professionals in environmental psychology can be found across various sectors including non-profits, government agencies, businesses, and NGOs. They apply their expertise in areas like urban planning, environmental design, and climate change mitigation. For those inclined towards academia, opportunities exist to teach in programs focusing on social or developmental psychology, where psychological principles are applied to understand environmental behaviours.⁴

These psychologists often engage in research, exploring how individuals interact with and react to their surroundings. Their studies may delve into questions such as the motivations behind recycling habits, the factors driving environmentally responsible behaviours, and the impact of different environments on people's well-being and productivity.

It's important to note that environmental psychologists aren't confined to traditional office settings; many conduct their work outdoors or within community spaces like parks and zoos. Their efforts are geared towards addressing pressing issues such as pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss.

What are the requirements to become an environmental psychologist?

To embark on the journey of becoming an environmental psychologist, typically, you'll take these three key steps:⁴

• Begin with an undergraduate degree in psychology
• Pursue a master's degree if available in the specific subfield of environmental psychology
• Advance to a doctoral degree, typically a PhD

While there are limited graduate programs dedicated solely to environmental psychology, it's crucial to note that each program may have a distinct focus, such as architectural or ecological perspectives. It's essential to thoroughly research the orientation of each institution before applying to ensure alignment with your goals.

Even if enrolled in a program without a specific environmental focus, students can often integrate their environmental interests into their thesis or dissertation topics. For those aspiring to enter the field of environmental psychology, it's beneficial to supplement psychology coursework with additional subjects like environmental science, cultural geography, and natural resource management.

Summary 

Environmental psychology investigates the relationship between individuals and their environment, examining how the environment influences human behaviour and well-being, and vice versa. This field explores diverse topics such as the perception of built and natural landscapes, cognitive mapping, ecological impacts of human activities, design of physical spaces, leisure behaviours, and stress related to environments. Various theoretical perspectives, including geographical determinism, ecological biology, behaviourism, and Gestalt psychology, contribute to understanding these interactions.

Specific theories like the Theory of Planned Behavior, the Norm-Activation Model, and the Value-Belief-Norm Theory shed light on environmental behaviours. Environmental psychologists work across sectors such as urban planning, environmental design, and climate change mitigation, often conducting research outdoors or within community spaces. To enter this field, one typically pursues undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology, with opportunities to integrate environmental interests into their studies.