>BREPTO00: Environmental Psychology

Note May 2007: THIS COURSE IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR "GRADUATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM" STUDENTS, AS "512-545".
FOR 2007 THE COURSE IS ON HOLD. IT IS NOT DECIDED YET WHETHER & IF SO WHEN IT WILL BE CONTINUED.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION, BELOW IS THE ADVANCED 2006 PROGRAM.

Note Jan 2010: "ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY", ESTABLISHED 1995, WAS MY 'FLAGSHIP' COURSE, ENRICHED BY 5 SPECIAL FEATURES (SEE BELOW). AFTER MY RETIREMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY IS NOT PURSUED ANYMORE IN THE PSYCHOLOGY DEPT.

Objectives:

The unit is designed to introduce into theoretical concepts, relevant substantive issues and empirical research methods of environmental psychology, a discipline dealing with the interrelationships between human behavior and the physical & natural environment.
Lectures are supplemented by: group discussions [D], excursions into the environment [E], video presentations [V], experimental activities[A], guest lectures [G]. Also, back-up information will be provided regularly via WebRAFT.

Classes:
Thursday 15:15-17:00 and 17:15-18:00, Lowe Theatre in the Redmond Barry Building.

<0> Course design & overview.

<1> Basic concepts of Environmental Psychology. [D]: Concepts of "environment".

<2> Theories of human/env'ment interactions. [A]: Building frameworks. [G]: T. Loquet: Env'ments in private life.

<3> Environmental cognition. . [A]: Cognitive map exercise. [E]: Aesthetic appraisals.

<4> Socio-spatial behavior: Personal space, territoriality, crowding. [V]: Sociopsychological experiments.

<5> Environmental stressors. [E]: Acoustic sound level measurements at 4 sites.

<6> Residential/urban environments. [V]: "That's progress". [G]: J. Cattapan: Picturing the city in the global age.

<7> Environmental issues at the workplace. [G]: Alison Hunt-Sturman: Environmental safety issues at university.

<8> Environmental hazards and risk perception. [A]: Risk ratings. [V]: Bushfires in residential environments.

<9> Designing environments: Psychological aspects. [E]: Exploration of signposting on campus.

<10> Environmental attitudes. [A]: Environmental concern scaling. [E]: Observing littering impacts.

<11> Environment-protecting behavior. [G]: Prof. J. Rowarth: Environmental movements.

<12> Research methods of Env. Psychol. [A]: Visual modes; [G]: Prof I. Bishop: Simulation of environment views.

<13> Applying Environmental Psychology. [D]: Preconditions of utilization of Environmental Psychology.

<E> Course evaluation.

Recommended Reading:
>> A comprehensive list with references from Psychology and related fields (such as Sociology, Architecture, Geography) will be distributed in session 1.
>> The following books will be on reserve (Baillieu or Architecture Library):
BECHTEL, R. B., & CHURCHMAN, A. (Eds.). (2002), Handbook of environmental psychology, Jossey-Bass;
BELL et al. 2001, Environmental psychology, Harcourt, 5th ed. (or 1996, 4th ed.);
GIFFORD 2002, Environmental psychology, Optimal Books, 3rd ed. (or 1997, 2nd ed.);
McANDREWS 1993, Environmental psychology, Brooks/Cole;
STOKOLS & ALTMAN 1986, Handbook of environmental psychology, Wiley;
VEITCH & ARKKELIN 1995, Environmental psychology, Prentice-Hall.

Assessment:
(1) Four short reports about environmental excursions (32%); (2) a 1.5-hour examination, asking for short essays on six topics (68%).

Consultation:
The consultation hour is Wednesday, 15-16:00, Room 803, Redmond Barry Building.