Environmental Psychology Flashcards
What is attention-restoration theory?
By being in nature and looking at pictures of nature will improve mental fatigue and improve wellness.
What is environmental psychology?
Interdisciplinary field of study that examines the complex interrelationships between individuals and their physical and virtual settings.
What is Lewin’s field theory?
Behaviour is a function of the combination of the person and the forces in the surrounding environment or field. B = f(P,E).
How did Roger Barker move and build on Lewin’s theory?
Behaviour is predicted more accurately on the basis of a situation people are in rather than only relying on personality.
What are environmental cues? and the 3 goals that determine or guide our behaviour?
They are elements in the environment that convey information that triggers affective responses.
Normative goal = to act appropriately (to fit in)
Hedonic goal = to feel better right now (fulfill needs)
Gain goal = to guard and improve one’s resources
What is personal space?
Interpersonal area surrounding a persons body, undefined by visible boundaries, and determined by circumstances, distance, angle of orientation and type of interaction. This evolves overtime.
What are some theoretical explanations of personal space?
Avoiding social stimuli overload and biological basis (amygdala)
Cultural differences
Ownership in crowded spaces: marking space with personal objects (bags) to control spaces.
It can communicate a lot about how we feel.
What are proxemics? What are the 4 levels of space?
Study of the perception, use, and communication of personal space.
- Intimate
- Personal (outer friends)
- Social
- Public (inner and outer zones)
What is crowding and when is this felt?
A personally defined subjective experience of too many people in a given space.
Density
Crowding responses (exacerbated by heat, alcohol, aggression)
Unhealthy environments
Relationships with homelessness
What is territoriality?
A pattern of behaviour and attitudes held by an individual or group based on perceived, attempted, or actual control of a definable space, object, or idea by means of a habitual occupation, defence, personalisation, and demarcation.
What are the 3 levels behind territoriality?
Primary = space owned or controlled on a relatively permanent basis
Secondary = space used regularly where control is less important; often shared
Tertiary = public area open to anyone
What is place attachment?
Affective bonds we form with place (intersection of people and their physical, virtual, or imaginary setting)
What is Scannell and Giffords tripartite framework dimensions involved in place attachment?
Person = Individual + collectively based meanings (memories of places, sacred places)
Place = physical components and social aspects
Process = how people attach psychologically to places and how they express it (refugees struggle with this)
In reaction to sustainable behaviours and our legacy to the environment, what is the tragedy of the commons?
Depletion of a shared resource due to individuals, acting to further their own interest, behaving in a manner which is contrary to the common good of the group.
What is the primary contribution to climate change, and how can social psychology help to alleviate the implications of climate change?
Human activities are the main driver of climate change, primarily coal, gas and oil. Using social psychology methods we may be able to change peoples attitudes, beliefs and behaviour towards sustainable climate action.
