Description:

Environmental psychology will allow students to explore the relationship between the environment and human behavior. The premise of the course is that the social setting, environmental setting, and individual behavior are interrelated. The focus will be on (1) our relationships with the human built environment, (2) our relationships with the natural environment, (3) how humans adapt to changing environments, and (4) how we can coordinate our behavior to achieve sustainable relationships with our environment. The content of the course will appeal to individuals interested in urban planning, architecture, interior design, ecological sustainability, and community physical and psychological well-being. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Define and describe environmental psychology.
2. Describe environmental perception and cognition, including cognitive mapping.
3. Describe how people think about and appraise environmental stressors, particularly natural or technological disasters.
4. Explain the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional effects of weather, climate, and pollution on behavior.
5. Explain the interrelationship between the physical setting and the social setting, personal space, and territoriality.
6. Explain the effects of building design on behavior, social interaction, and mood.
7. Describe factors that contribute to habitability, sense of place, and the effects of living in a city.
8. Describe and discuss the relationship between the environment and our well-being.
9. Apply theories of behavior change to the concept of sustainability and how behavior is related to sustainability.
10. Explain how new technologies are successfully distributed and adopted in a population.

Content Outline & Competencies:

  I. The Definition, History, and Methods of Environmental Psychology
     A. Define environmental psychology.
     B. Appraise the value of studying environmental psychology.
     C. Describe the history and content areas of environmental
psychology.   
     D. Explain what it means to study psychology from an ecological
perspective.
     E. Describe the research methods of environmental psychology.
        1. Define a correlational study.
        2. Describe the features of experimental research.
        3. Identify the types of descriptive research.

 II. Theories of Environmental Psychology
     A. Describe how environmental perception and cognition function.
        1. Define environmental perception.
        2. Describe Kaplan’s preference matrix.
        3. Define holistic analysis.
        4. Discuss the transactional approach.
        5. Explain how Gestalt principles are applied to environmental
perception.
           a. Give examples of emergent properties.
           b. Define Prägnanz.
        6. Fully diagram the Brunswik’s lens model.
        7. Explain Gibson’s ecological perception.
            a. Define affordances and discuss their cognitive function.
            b. Describe how humans find and/or create ecological niches.
        8. Explain cognitive maps and wayfinding.
     B. Describe the environmental load approach.
     C. Describe how the environmental stress approach is used.
            a. List the major types of environmental stressors. 
            b. Explain the factors involved in the appraisal of
stressors.
     D. Describe the cognitive-behavioral approach.
     E. Explain the biological influences on our relationship with the
environment.
        1. Define biophobia.
        2. Define biophilia.
        3. Evaluate the evolutionary perspective on our relationship with
the environment.

III. The Natural Environment
     A. Explain the effects of weather and climate on behavior.
        1. Evaluate the current views on the climate-behavior
relationship.
        2. Describe the effects of temperature on social behavior.
        3. Describe the effects of extreme temperatures on cognition.
    B. Explain how the theory of ecopsychology explains the human
relationship with nature.
        1. List what humans regard as attractive in natural settings.
        2. Describe how humans use natural settings to meet their
psycho-social needs.

IV. Pollution, Disasters, and Toxic Hazards
    A. Explain the effects of noise on behavior.
       1. Describe the effect of noise on performance.
       2. Explain the effect of noise on stress.
       3. Describe the effect of noise on social behavior.
    B. Describe the effects of air and water pollution.
       1. Explain how air pollution effect social behavior.
       2. Explain the effect of air pollution on performance.
       3. Explain how water pollution impacts our psychological and social
functioning.
    C. Describe how we think about natural disasters.
       1. List the factors humans consider when assessing risk of
disaster.
       2. Tell how humans cope with living in disaster prone areas.
       3. Describe the psychological effects of experiencing a natural
disaster.
    D. Explain how we interpret risk of technological disasters.

V. The Human Built Environment
   A. Describe the concepts of personal space and territoriality.
      1. Describe the determinants of individual differences of personal
space needs.
      2. Explain interpersonal positioning effects.
      3. Describe the relationship between territoriality and aggression.
    B. Describe the effects of population density and crowding.
       1. Explain how population density affects social behavior.
       2. Explain the theoretical explanations of crowding on
physiological-cognitive arousal.
       3. Describe the various means by which we cope with crowding.
    C. Explain how architecture and design affect cognition and behavior.
       1. Explain the effects of illumination on mood and social
interaction. 
       2. Describe the effects of windows and natural light on mood.
       3. Explain how room/building design can facilitate or inhibit
social relations.
       4. Define the concept of design alternative and the sense of
control over the environment.
       5. Explain the difference between architectural determinism and
possibilism.
       6. Explain the cognitive affect of the design elements commodity,
firmness and delight. 
    D. Illustrate how living and work spaces can be improved.
       1. Define place attachment and discuss the cognitive affect of
place attachment.
       2. List the factors contributing to habitability.
    E.  Describe how urban, suburban, and rural living affect cognition
and behavior.
        1. Explain why people tend to prefer suburban living.
        2. Describe how rural and urban dwellers differ on their view of
the natural environment.
        3. Interpret the differences in social and helping behaviors
between urban and rural dwellers.
 
VI. The Environment and Well-Being
    A. Explain the importance of leisure space.
       1. Explain the attributes of high quality leisure spaces.
       2. Define and discuss “sense of place.”
       3. Identify the challenges of maintaining high quality leisure
spaces.
       4. Explain the value of “small urban places” to social life.
    B. Describe the relationship between the built environment and
physical well-being. 
       1. Explain how environmental and social elements in a city predict
obesity.
       2. Define environmental illnesses such as the sick building
syndrome.
       3. Explain the relationship between hospital design and patient
recovery.
    C. Explain the relationship between the environment and psychological
well-being.
       1. Describe how the physical environment can invite social
relatedness.
       2. Explain how stress and coping with environmental illnesses
affect mental health.
       3. Describe the restorative qualities quality environments on
well-being.
 
VII. Conservation and Behavior
    A. Explain the dilemma of the commons.
    B. Evaluate the importance of recycling, water conservation, and
conserving energy. 
    C. Describe the predictors of pro-environmental behavior.
       1. Explain the relationship between attitudes and behavior.
       2. Evaluate the methods used to change behavior toward favoring the
environment.
          a. Give examples of how theories of behavior change have been
put to use.
          b. Describe the elements of successful behavior change
programs.
       3. Describe how barriers to change can be overcome.
 
VIII. Environmental Attitudes, Social Norms, and Memes
    A. Describe what is meant by a “culture of consumerism.”
       1. Evaluate the positive and negative outcomes of consumerism.
       2. Define and discuss the concept of sustainability.
    B. Describe the relationship between socio-economic factors and
environmentalism.
    C. Describe how new technologies are adopted and innovation
dispersed.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

1. Three to four exams should be given throughout the semester. The
exams should cover key concepts, theories, and examples of applied
environmental psychology. The exams can be of any configuration, such as
multiple-choice, essay, or short answer. 

2. Two to four assignments should be completed throughout the semester
during class meeting times. The assignments should allow students to
observe examples of phenomena covered in class on the JCCC campus. Through
these assignments, students should demonstrate their comprehension of
course material.
 
3. One to four projects should be assigned during the semester to be
completed outside of class. The projects can be reflection papers,
research papers, group projects, or other homework exercises. The projects
should allow students of demonstrate their ability to apply, understand,
and reflect upon course material.

Three to four exams  - 30-50%
Two to four during class activities - 10-25%
One to four projects - 10-25%
Comprehensive Final - 10-30%
Total - 100%

Grade Criteria:
A = 90 -100% 
B = 80% - 89% 
C = 70% - 79% 
D = 60% - 69% 
F = under 60%

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.