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ASSIGNMENT REFERENCE MATERIAL (2020-21)

BPCE - 019

Environmental Psychology

SECTION-A

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Q1. Define environmental psychology. Discuss the role and scope of environmental psychology.

Ans. Environmental psychology is an interdisciplinary field focused on the interplay between humans
and their surroundings. The field defines the term environment broadly, encompassing natural

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environments, social settings, built up environments, learning environments, and informational
environments. Since its conception, the field has been committed to the development of a discipline
that is both value oriented and problem oriented, prioritising research aiming at solving complex
environmental problems in the pursuit of individual well being.

Scope and Role of Environmental Psychology

a .
1. Urbanisation and Environmental Psychology: Urbanisation is a historical incident depending on
the socio-economic status of the society, its level and rate of its development. Urbanisation has
increased at such an accelerated rate over the past century that today it encompasses hundreds of
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millions of people throughout the entire world.

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2. Slum Environment and Environment Psychologist: Slum environment is another important area
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where environmental psychologists take a significant role for improvement of the environmental
condition. Generally slum consists of a hut, group of huts or buildings or areas characterised by over
crowding, deteriorating, unsanitary conditions and also absence of facilities and amenities like proper
b
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toilets etc., which endanger the health, safety and morals of the inhabitants of the slums.
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3. The Effects of Crowding and Environmental Psychologist:The effects of crowding on human

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beings can usually be divided into:

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i) alteration of behaviour in normal individuals,

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i) effects on mortality, and

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iii) effects on prevalence of psychiatric disorder.

Besides the above, personal effects of crowding include environmental health problems, social
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conflict and psychological stress.

4. Work Environment and Environment Psychologist: Work environment is also an important

environment where environmental psychologists have a significant role. We know that favourable
quality of work environment affects the individual in many ways. There are various aspects whichwe
can consider in the context of work environment, viz., noise, temperature, space, location, employer-
employee relationship, employee-employee relationship, relationship with others and so many.

5. Quality of Life and Environmental Psychologist: Another important thing is "quality of life".
The term quality of life is generally used to refer to an overall evaluation of the conditions of life as

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experienced by an individual or a set of individuals. Quality of life is an inclusive concept which

covers all aspects of living including material satisfaction of vital need as well as aspects of life such
as personal development, self realisation and healthy eco-system. It is a concept which refers to
individuals, but determined by the dynamic interaction between a given individual, his society and his
habitat.

6. Residential Environment and Environmental Psychologist: In connection with residential

environment we can say that attachment takes place which includes a sense of bonding, memories
about the place, anxiety in the face of potential separation from the place, etc. Attachment occurs in
regard to both the home and community. People occupy many different styles of home, some may
perceive the environment healthy and congenial but others may not. In each and every setting there
are some positive and negative points, and, accordingly, it creates satisfaction and dissatisfaction.

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Q2. Do some designs in health care settings promote more efficient performance? Discuss.

Ans. Do some designs and locations of nurses' stations promote more efficient patient care (i.e.,

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behavioural facilitation)? In order to answer this question, Trites et al. (1970) investigated nurse
efficiency and staff satisfaction with three different hospital ward designs (Figure given below ). In
general, a radial ward design was found to be the most desirable (relative to single and double
corridor designs), both in terms of saving unnecessary ward travel and of increasing time with
patients. Moreover, members of the nursing staff indicated a preference for assignment to the radial
designed ward.

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1. Empirical Evidences

Good, Siege1 & Bay (1965) worked out a refurbishing-refurnishing proposal for a traditional linear-
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plan psychiatric ward. Inexpensive and relatively portable modular furniture systems were designed.
Furniture arrangements were developed which would promote interaction in some areas of the ward
and distinctly discourage interaction in other areas. Staff could then vary treatment simply by
dispatching a patient to another area within the ward.

A long list of desirable and usual patient behaviours was drawn up to ensure that the new design
would allow easy and adequate performance of these behaviours. The visual, acoustic, and general
esthetic qualities of the ward would drastically change and would vary within the ward in accordance
with the plan for more interaction in certain areas.

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2. Sociofugal and Sociopetal Designs

Holaham & Saegert (1972) has tested the actual behavioural effects of designs presumed to be
sociopetal or sociofigal. One hundred twenty psychiatric patients were randomly assigned to six
person groups. Each group was observed for a 45-minute period in an experimental dayroom. The
patients were provided with snacks and game equipment and instructed to do as they pleased, as long
as they did not rearrange the furniture. Two tables and eight chairs were prearranged in the room.
When a group of six patients entered, they found one of four arrangements: sociofugal, consisting of
chairs along the walls and tables in the center of the room; sociopetal, featuring chairs clustered
around the tables in the centre of the room; mixed, with some chairs near the walls and some near the
tables; and free, with the chairs stacked in a corner, the patients being told to arrange them as they
pleased.

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Less social interaction was found in the groups placed in the sociofugal setting than in the sociopetal
or mixed setting groups. The patients in the free setting interacted less than the patients in the
sociopetal and mixed settings, and only slightly more than the patients in the sociofugal setting. Also,

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more cigarettes and coffee were consumed in the sociopetal and mixed settings than in the sociofugal
settings (This consumption effect may be desirable only as an indicator of increased social interaction,
since the products consumed may have adverse effects on patients' health).

Q3. Explain environmental perception. Discuss the relationship between environmental

perception and environmental situation.

a .
Ans. Environmental perception refers to how individuals actually perceive the context in which they
live with the interplay of social and physical elements.Environmental perception is the way in which
an individual perceives the environment, and the process of evaluating and storing information
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received about the environment. It is the perception of the environment which is important because

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individuals base their judgements on the environment as they perceive it, not as it is. The nature of
such perception includes warm feelings for an environment, an ordering of information, and an
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understanding, however subjective, of the environment.

Relationship between Environmental Perception and Environmental Situation

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The environment is taken to refer to anything external to the perceiver which influences or might
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influence the perception process. There is a close relationship between environmental situation and
environmental perception.
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The significant information’s are:

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• Environments have no fixed or given boundaries to space and time.

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• Environments provide information through all the senses.

• Environments include peripheral as well as central information.
• Environments include more information than can adequately be handled.
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Environments are defined by and experienced through action.

• Environments have symbolic meaning.
• Environmental experience always takes on the systematic quality of a coherent and
predictable value.

We typically perceive our environment as bounded, yet the environment as such does not provide any
information as to its spatial or temporal boundaries. It is the person, who sets his own boundaries for
the various settings he experiences. His purposes and actions constantly interact with environmental
information. The person is able to shift the boundaries one after which he perceives. There is a
continuous interplay between environmental information and individual along with culture.

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Environments are multimodal, the senses function always. A blind person learns to get around
through his sense by touch.

A kind of private radar closely related to his sense of hearing. Environments almost always provide
more information than can possibly be processed. Environments influence the behaviours which take
place in them is through their symbolic meaning. The symbolic meanings and motivational messages
emitted by an environment are integral to our perception of it.

SECTION-B

Q4. Elucidate personal space. Discuss the main features of personal space and bubble.

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Ans.The notion of personal space is derived primarily from the ideas of anthropologists E.T. Hall and
the psychological investigations of Little (1 965). Hall (1 961) conceived of personal space as a series
of spatial spheres (bubbles) with the individual person as their center. These concentric circles or
personal space zones are labeled the 'intimate' (0-1 8" distance), the causal - personal (18-48"

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distance), and the social-consultative (48-144"distance ) and public domain (Hall, 1964). Each of
them above defines the kinds of interpersonal encounters and behaviours which occur within its
confines.

Thus the Personal space is the region surrounding a person which they regard as psychologically

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theirs. Invasion of personal space often leads to discomfort, anger, or anxiety on the part of the victim.

Features
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In 1966 Anthropologist Edward Hall identified four different zones of personal space Americans like
to keep around them

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i) Intimate distance: This extends roughly 18 inches (46 cm) from the individual and is reserved for
family, pets and very close friends. Displays of infection and comforting are commonly conducted
within this space. The only strangers an individual typically accepts within his or her intimate space
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are health care professionals.

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ii) Personal distance: This extends 1.5 to 4 feet (0.46-1.2 m) is reserved for friends and
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acquaintances. A handshake will typically place strangers at least 2 to 4 feet (0.6 1-1.2 m) apart,
preserving the personal distance.
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Q5. Discuss the functions and types of residential settings.

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Ans. Residential settings are of many types. In fact there are seven (7) types of residential settings
which are given below:

Single member household consists of a nuclear family. Single parent and domestic partnership.
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There is a main head and family members.

The 21st century household has a convenient living arrangement of no more than one elder or one
younger relative sibling or parent.

Extended or joint household consists of multiple families with one or several heads of households
reside. This can also be a large estate ranch or farm property. It can be a home of executive or a
celebrity with staff living on site. It can also be a Hindu Undivided and United family.

Shared household: Housemates share a home or apartment

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In home caretaker household: Elderly person or person with disability has a caretaker residing with
him to help.

Provider managed household: An individual or corporation can run this household. The landlord
rents the house or even provides food etc., and it provides meals. It could be a boading home.

Collective living household: These are dormitory type households where a large number of
people live in either single rooms or on sharing basis of a double room etc.

1. Rustic Designs

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Just because a living space is being constructed in the 21st century, there is no reason the modern
abode cannot contain rustic elements such as adobe, hand-hewn timbers, cedar shakes (or shingles) or
green lumber attached to the frame of the house in a board-and-batten or bam-wood style. The
construction of a log cabin is not out of the question, either, and in today's innovative climate, that

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same log building might contain skylights or a large picture window. Overall, the combination of old
materials and new design is unlimited.

2. Green House Designs

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Another contemporary trend that is bound to continue in the new century are "green" or energy saving
a
designs. Green design can include anything from generating hot water or electricity from solar panels
installed on the roof to building large earthen terms around the structure for protection against the
elements. If the new construction is examined, One may see a lot of interesting features aimed at
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saving energy or providing natural cooling. Growing trees on the roof or placing part of the dwelling
underground will also add to the ability of the edifice to moderate extreme temperatures.

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3. Local Community

The goal of this level is to encourage residents to actively explore and participate in the larger "world
b
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community. Possible activities or events include community service efforts, such as volunteering at
the humane society, Dial Help, local schools, Make a Difference Day, Stand Up for Disabilities, or
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When You Move Out, Don't Throw it Out programs.

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Q6. Explain the factors that affect workplace performance.

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Ans. Having defined the environment at workplace let us see what is actually thework place. The
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workplace or the office is where individuals or groups of individuals congregate for handling
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information and making plans and decisions. It is a place where individuals operate tools and machine
to produce goods. It is a place where individuals are likely to be required to read and to think and to
talk with others. It is a place where groups or teams are required to communicate and collaborate. The
work area is a place supplied by the organisation to support individual and group contribution to the
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organisational mission and goals. It is a physical place with features and properties that provide both
functional opportunities and multiple levels of meaningful interaction and feedback for the people
who work in them.

Performance of employees depends on a large number of factors aside the pay cheque. Some of these
include (i) goal setting (ii) feedback about performance (iii) role congruity (iv) define and process of
production (v) rewards to be given for good work or desired behaviour (vi) support of the supervisor
(vii) mentoring and coaching (viii) resource availability. Let us deal with each of these one by one.

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i) Goal setting: The workplace environment should be such that each employee must know what his
or her goals are and what are the clear measures to assess the performance as to whether the employee
has reached the goal etc.

ii) Feedback about performance: It is important that each employee in the company must know how
he or she has performed. His helps in motivating the employee to do better than before. Or feel good
that he has done well and thus want to better that performance.

iii) Role congruity: The environment at the workplace should be such that each employee has clear
expectations about his or her role and how far the work that he is asked to do is in line with the
expectations. If there is congruity between employee's expectations and what he is doing, there will be
higher motivation to work.

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Q7. Critically examine open classroom design.

Ans. An open classroom is a student-centered learning space design format which first became

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popular in North America in the late 1960s and 1970s, with a re-emergence in the early 21st century.

The idea of the open classroom was that a large group of students of varying skill levels would be in a
single, large classroom with several teachers overseeing them. It is ultimately derived from the one-
room schoolhouse, but sometimes expanded to include more than two hundred students in a single

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multi-age and multi-grade classroom. Rather than having one teacher lecture to the entire group at
once, students are typically divided into different groups for each subject according to their skill level

as both facilitators and instructors.

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for that subject. The students then work in small groups to achieve their assigned goal. Teachers serve

Certain education professionals, including Professor Gerald Unks at the University of North Carolina

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at Chapel Hill, strongly support this system particularly with young children.[citation needed] If
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poorly planned or laid out, open classrooms can sometimes lead to problems with noise and poor
ventilation. Classrooms that are physically open are increasingly rare, as many schools that were built
"without walls" have long since put up permanent partitions of varying heights. However, in many
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places, the open philosophy as an instructional technique continues. Larry Cuban states "To call it a
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fad would miss the deeper meaning of “open classrooms” as another skirmish in the ideological wars
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that have split educational progressives from conservatives since the first tax-supported schools
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opened their doors in the early 1800s."

Piedmont Open/IB Middle School in Charlotte, North Carolina, for example, was started as one of the
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original two magnet middle schools in Charlotte in the 1970s. While the other magnet (a "traditional"
school) has closed, Piedmont is still functioning as a modified open school thirty years later, all the
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time housed in a traditional physical plant.

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Q8. Explain the relationship between environmental quality and place attachment.

Ans. Often one has found that one gets attached to a place because the quality of environment is of a
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high order. Let us what is quality of environment. This refers to pollution, air, water etc. qua.ity. If we
take air quality, Air quality is defined as a measure of the condition of air relative to the requirements
of one or more biotic species and or to any human need or purpose.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) (also known as the Air Pollution Index (API) or Pollutant Standard
Index (PSI) is a number used by government agencies to characterise the quality of the air at a given
location. As the AQI increases, an increasingly large percentage of the population is likely to
experience increasingly severe adverse health effects.

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Water quality is another important aspect of environmental quality. "Water quality" is a technical term
that is based upon the characteristics of water in relation to guideline values of what is suitable for
human consumption and for all usual domestic purposes, including personal hygiene. Components of
water quality include microbial, biological, chemical, and physical aspects.

In regard to Microbial Aspects, drinking water should not include microorganisms that are known to
be pathogenic. It should also not contain bacteria that would indicate excremental pollution. As for
Biological Aspects Parasitic protozoa and helminths are also indicators of water quality. Species of
protozoa can be introduced into water supply through human or animal fecal contamination. Most
common among the pathogenic protozoans are Entamoeba and Giardia.

SECTION-C

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Q9. Cognitive map

Ans. Cognitive map is a mental framework that holds some representation for the spatial

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representation of the physical environment. Cognitive map may be sketchy, incomplete, distorted,
simplified and so on. It mainly consists of three elements, viz., places, the spatial relations between
places and travel plans. Place may be a room, building, city, nation etc. Cognitive map reflects spatial
characteristics, such as the distance and direction between places and the inclusion of one place within
another.

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Q10. Different types of attitudes towards environmental issues
a
Ans..Egoistic concerns are focused on the individual, and reflect a concern about environmental
problems for self. These concerns include personal health, fmancialwell-being, quality of life, and
availability of resources.
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Altruistic concerns focus on people other than self, including friends, family, community, future
generations, or humanity.
b

Finally, biospheric concerns focus on all living things, including plants, animals, ecosystems, and the
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biosphere.
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Q11. Residential Quality Index

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Ans. Perceived Residential Quality Index (PRQUI) may also be determined in terms of subjective and
objective as well as physical and social aspects of the residential setting. An integrative approach to
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represent a model of residential satisfaction, that is it implies studying the dynamic interaction
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between the individual and his residential environment and analysing the different processes such as
the cognitive, affective and behavioural, which take place in this interaction. Again, healthy
residential environments are known to be important determinants of quality of life and well being. A
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set of eight healthy residential environmental components are also identified.

Q12. Place memory

Ans.Places have their own unique identity and this identity is contributed by the different people who
live there, different ethnic groups as well as religious and other related groups . This makes for both
place identity and place memory.The cognitions represent memories, ideas, feelings, attitudes, values,
preferences, meanings and conceptions of behaviour and experience which relate to the variety and
complexity of physical settings that define the day to day existence of every human being.

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Q13. Disaster and stress related physical symptoms

Ans. Almost all somatic or bodily symptoms, including gastrointestinal distress, aches and pains and
so on, were increased.

Unfocussed anger: Survivors found themselves angry and upset. When disasters are human made,
the rage tends to be worse.

Regression: Children often regressed to earlier stages of behaviour.

Nightmares: Dreams about dying in the disaster and about dead relatives occurred frequently. Sleep
disturbances were common as well.

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Pollution: Another important thing is pollution. Perception of air pollution depends on a number of
physical and psychological factors

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Q14. Man’s impact on environment

Ans. Man's impact on environment has resulted in pollution of environment which not only affects
air, water and land but also organisms of biosphere. The main points summing up the impact of man
on environment are:

a .
Air pollution: Burning of fossil fuels in large quantities from jet aircraft, CFCs used in aerosol spray
cans, refrigerators and farm blowing have been stated to be responsible for depletion of ozone to 3-4%
in the last 100 years.
b
Water pollution: Leakage of petroleum from huge ships and oil tankers into the sea, causes oil slicks

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which spread rapidly over water and spell disaster to marine life and to human depending on marine
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resources.

Q15. India and urban public space

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Ans.India's cities have become the gateways to the country's economic growth opportunities and
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waves of urbanisation have become larger and stronger. During the last fifty years the population of
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India has grown two and a half times but urban India has grown merely five times. But many Indian
cities do not have public spaces of international standard. It is a disgrading reality in urban India.
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Q16. Naturalistic observation

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Ans. Another strategy for studying human territoriality is to observe ongoing territoriality behaviour
in a careful, structured way. The researcher may watch - how children occupy and defend certain
areas of a school playground, for example. When unobtrusive measures are employed: the researcher
may count the number and location of items that individuals deploy to control a space. For instance, a
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university's cafeteria is generally so heavily used that experienced students going to lunch first locate
a vacant seat, where they deposit their books on the table and their coat on the back of the chair, then
go to the food lines.

Q17. Aggression and crowding

Ans. Many studies have been conducted on the relationship between crowding and aggression. Initial
studies got mixed results. In later studies it was found that aggression is more related with scarcity of
resources (Rohe and Patterson, 1974) or goal blocking (Sandstrom, 1975) than having a direct
relationship with high density.

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Q18. Types of defense

Ans. Mark Knapp divides defenses into three general types:

Prevention defenses: Markers such as coats, towels, signs, and fences are preventive defenses. One
anticipates infringement and acts to stop it before it OCCWS.

Reaction defenses: They are responses to an infringement after it actually happens. For examples of
slamming doors and physically striking out at the infringer etc.

Social Boundary defense: The social boundary defense consists of a ritual engaged in by hosts and
visitors.

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