PSY2005 Environmental psychology
- Course codePSY2005
- Number of credits10
- Teaching semester2025 Autumn
- Language of instructionEnglish
- CampusLillehammer
- Required prerequisite knowledge
None
Environmental psychology concerns the complexity between humans and their surroundings, both built and natural environments. Humans influence and get influenced by their physical environment. The course addresses psychological, social, aesthetic, and regular relations between humans and their physical environment, and is closely linked to topics such as stress, restitution, and well-being. Common theory and empiricism from environmental psychology will be critically analysed. The course will also provide an introduction in the environmental psychological understanding regarding the human influence on, and the reaction to, climate change. This includes subjects such as attitudes, pro-environmental behaviour, nudging and solastalgia. Environmental psychology has an interdisciplinary approach and is strongly influenced by social- and cognitive psychology, and linked to the academic fields of architecture, landscape architecture and landscape planning. Applied environmental psychology is process orientated, and the course provides an introduction regarding practical use related to topics such as health, well-being, and pro-environmental behaviour.
Learning Outcome
The students will acquire basic knowledge regarding human interaction with, and reactions to, their physical surroundings. More specific, students will learn about how the physical environment (built and natural) can provide both positive and negative effects on human health and well-being. Contrary, how human attitude and behaviour effects climate, environment, and nature. The student will also obtain knowledge on how to apply environmental psychological knowledge to increase pro-environmental actions in general.
Upon completion of the course, the student shall
- have knowledge of history of environmental psychology
- have knowledge of common theories within environmental psychology
- have basic knowledge regarding environmental perceptions, restitution, pro-environmental behaviour, social dilemmas, nudging and processes of change
- have insights regarding various issues in environmental psychology
- understand the complexity of human and environmental interaction
- have insights regarding ethical dilemmas within pro-environmental behaviour, such as nudging
Upon completion of the course, the student shall be able to
- use environmental psychological knowledge to explain effects of the interaction between humans and their surroundings
- present and discuss environmental psychological dilemmas, within academical terms
- apply basic mapping methods for gathering data within environmental psychology
- evaluate common research methods and results
- provide academic based input in designing and promoting healthy surroundings
- provide knowledge and competence to increase pro-environmental behaviour
Participation in mandatory seminars in addition to submission of written work or oral presentation, graded as pass/fail. Further information on content and scope is provided by the course convenor at the start of the course.
Form of assessment | Grading scale | Grouping | Duration of assessment | Support materials | Proportion | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written examination with invigilation | ECTS - A-F | Individual | 4 Hour(s) |
| 100 |
Name | Credits | Date | Comment |
---|---|---|---|
PSY2303 Helse- og miljøpsykologi | 5 | ||
PSY1003 Helse- og miljøpsykologi | 5 |