Week 1 Flashcards
What is the primary focus of environmental psychology?
Environmental psychology focuses on the interplay between individuals and their surroundings, including natural and built environments, and how these influence behavior, well-being, and social interactions.
What concept does ‘The Tragedy of the Commons’ illustrate?
It illustrates the conflict between individual interests and the common good, showing how individuals acting in their self-interest can deplete shared resources, harming the collective in the long run.
What are the key components of Hardin’s solution to the Tragedy of the Commons?
Hardin suggests mutual coercion mutually agreed upon, such as regulations or privatization, to prevent the overuse of shared resources.
What does the ‘Room with a Cue’ study emphasize in environmental psychology?
The study emphasizes how physical spaces and their design can communicate non-verbal cues about occupants’ personality traits and behaviors.
What is the main argument in ‘Environmental Psychology Matters’?
The paper argues for the importance of environmental psychology in addressing critical global issues such as climate change, sustainability,
What is the ‘Automobile’ article’s perspective on environmental psychology?
It explores the automobile as both a tool and a symbol, highlighting its environmental impacts and psychological significance in shaping individual and societal behaviors.
What is the significance of ‘The Emerging Discipline of Environmental Psychology’?
It highlights the evolution and importance of environmental psychology as a field that bridges psychological theories and environmental issues.
How does the ‘Struggle to Govern the Commons’ article contribute to environmental psychology?
It examines strategies for sustainable management of shared resources, emphasizing institutional frameworks and cooperative behavior.
What is ‘Ecologizing Social Psychology’
This article discusses integrating ecological considerations into social psychology to address environmental challenges more effectively.
What are the psychological mechanisms discussed in ‘Dragons, Mules, and Honeybees’?
It categorizes human reactions to environmental issues into resistance (‘dragons’), hesitance (‘mules’), and cooperation (‘honeybees’), illustrating diverse behavioral responses to ecological challenges.
What is the central concept of ‘The Automobile’ in the context of environmental psychology?
The automobile is examined as an integral part of human identity and urban planning, reflecting cultural values and shaping environmental impacts.
What key principle is discussed in ‘A Room with a Cue’ regarding environment and behavior?
The study discusses how personal spaces act as reflections of individual identity and influence others’ perceptions.
Define ‘territoriality’ as presented in environmental psychology readings.
Territoriality refers to the behavioral expression of ownership over a physical space, influenced by social and environmental factors.
How does ‘The Automobile’ article link transportation to environmental concerns?
It addresses how car-centric transportation systems contribute to urban sprawl, pollution, and psychological dependency on vehicles.
What does ‘Environmental Psychology Matters’ say about interdisciplinary approaches?
The article advocates for integrating psychological insights with other disciplines to tackle complex environmental issues.
What role do ‘social norms’ play in environmental conservation, according to ‘Room with a Viewpoint’?
Social norms are shown to significantly influence conservation behaviors, such as towel reuse in hotels, by leveraging descriptive norms.
Explain ‘provincial norms’ as discussed in the environmental psychology studies.
Provincial norms refer to behavior patterns observed in a specific local or immediate context, which are more influential than general norms.
What is the ‘first arriver principle’ discussed in territoriality?
It is the idea that the first individual to arrive at a location often claims psychological ownership, influencing social dynamics and territorial disputes.
What are the broader implications of the ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ for sustainability?
It underscores the need for collaborative governance and sustainable practices to manage shared resources effectively.
How do ‘cultural values’ shape environmental behaviors, as discussed in Week 1 materials?
Cultural values influence individual and collective attitudes towards sustainability, resource usage, and ecological responsibility.
What are the three metaphorical frameworks for categorizing environmental systems?
Dragons (chaotic), Mules (resistant), and Honeybees (collaborative).
How do ‘Honeybees’ contribute to environmental management?
Honeybees represent systems that benefit from collective cooperation, promoting sustainability through collaborative action.
What characterizes ‘Mules’ in the context of environmental systems?
Mules are systems that resist change, requiring significant effort to adjust or manage.
Why does environmental psychology matter in addressing global issues?
It integrates psychological insights with environmental challenges, offering strategies to address sustainability, urbanization, and climate change.
What is the role of environmental psychology in urban planning?
It helps design spaces that promote mental health, social cohesion, and sustainable behaviors.
What does the ‘Room with a Cue’ study reveal about personal spaces?
Personal spaces serve as reflections of individual identity and can influence others’ perceptions of personality traits.
How do physical environments act as non-verbal cues?
They communicate information about occupants’ preferences, habits, and personality through design and arrangement.
What role does the automobile play in environmental psychology?
It serves as both a symbol of identity and a contributor to environmental issues like pollution and urban sprawl
What is the psychological impact of car dependency?
Car dependency can reinforce urban sprawl, reduce physical activity, and increase stress related to traffic and commuting.
What defines environmental psychology as an emerging discipline?
Its interdisciplinary approach bridges psychology, sociology, and environmental science to address complex ecological challenges.
What are the key goals of environmental psychology?
To improve human-environment interactions, promote sustainability, and enhance well-being through better environmental design.
What is ‘Ecologizing Social Psychology’ about?
It emphasizes integrating ecological considerations into social psychology to better understand and address environmental behaviors.
Why is ecologizing important for social psychology?
It fosters a holistic understanding of human behavior by including environmental influences and sustainability considerations.
What strategies are suggested for governing the commons effectively?
Developing institutional frameworks, fostering cooperation, and creating incentives for sustainable resource use.
Why is cooperation crucial for managing shared resources?
It ensures equitable access and prevents resource depletion through collective action.
What economic model underlies the concept of the Tragedy of the Commons?
The economic model demonstrates that individuals acting in their self-interest can lead to the overuse and degradation of shared resources.
How does privatization address the Tragedy of the Commons?
Privatization assigns ownership, which creates incentives for individuals to manage resources sustainably.
What is a real-world example of the Tragedy of the Commons?
Overfishing in international waters, where lack of regulation leads to resource depletion.
Why are ‘Dragons’ metaphorically resistant to environmental change?
Dragons symbolize chaos or unpredictable behavior in environmental systems, making management and intervention difficult.
What does the term ‘Mules’ signify in environmental systems?
Mules represent systems or entities that resist change but can be directed with consistent effort.
How do ‘Honeybees’ inspire environmental collaboration?
Honeybees exemplify collective, harmonious systems that achieve sustainability through cooperative action.
What did ‘Room with a Cue’ find about personality traits and office design?
The study found that personalized office designs can reflect personality traits like openness and conscientiousness.
How does spatial arrangement influence perception in ‘Room with a Cue’?
The study showed that neatness and organization in spaces often lead observers to attribute positive traits to occupants.
What psychological role does the automobile play in urban identity?
The automobile is a status symbol and a representation of freedom, but it also contributes to urban sprawl and environmental harm.
How does the automobile influence urban design and environmental impact?
It drives car-centric infrastructure, leading to increased energy consumption, pollution, and reduced walkability.
How does environmental psychology help in mitigating climate change?
It provides insights into human behavior and motivation, enabling the design of interventions for sustainable practices.
What role does environmental psychology play in policy-making?
It bridges behavioral science and environmental policy, ensuring that interventions are grounded in psychological evidence.
What key challenges define the scope of environmental psychology?
Addressing urbanization, sustainability, and climate change through interdisciplinary approaches.
Why is environmental psychology considered an interdisciplinary field?
It combines insights from psychology, sociology, environmental science, and urban planning.
What does ‘Ecologizing Social Psychology’ suggest about integrating disciplines?
It calls for integrating ecological considerations into social psychology to better address environmental issues.
How does ecologizing improve the effectiveness of social psychology?
By incorporating environmental variables, it creates a more comprehensive framework for understanding human behavior.
What principles are essential for governing the commons effectively?
Inclusivity, accountability, and adaptive management are essential for sustainable resource governance.
How does cultural context affect governance of shared resources?
Cultural norms influence cooperation and compliance with governance structures.
