DEPT. OF PSYCHOLOGY 
University of Melbourne
   A/Prof Bernd ROHRMANN
Semester 2 - 2006
ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY <512-345>
Overview & Programm

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.

Program:

<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.

E-mail address: mail { at } rohrmannspace.net
Website: http://www.rohrmannresearch.net

BR 03-05-07