Environmental psychologists study the effects of a person’s surroundings on his or her mental state, and their findings are used to develop plans and processes that will allow people to feel at ease and well in their work or social environments. Colors, for example, can elicit various emotional responses. Employers, hospitals, and retailers can use this information to encourage a response, whether the desired effect is calm, contentment, or energy.
However, the field is not limited to decorating issues. The effectiveness of the desired reaction is influenced by sound, smell, and temperature. Classrooms, for example, can be designed to support learning by utilizing the mind and body’s natural responses to the environment. In many ways, an environmental psychologist is similar to an ergonomist in terms of what they do for the body. He or she assists in the creation of objects that are the most user-friendly.
Although most psychologists have a doctorate in psychology, the job of an environmental psychologist necessitates a multi-disciplinary education. The field includes elements of social sciences, architecture, and natural science. An environmental psychologist can work with a variety of degrees, but since the 1970s in the United Kingdom, some universities have started to offer degree programs in this field.
Many research-oriented tasks are included in an environmental psychologist’s job description. A psychologist must be able to communicate data analysis to policy and decision makers in addition to data analysis. He or she must also be knowledgeable about construction and building techniques, as well as be able to make accurate recommendations based on feasibility and cost.
An environmental psychologist’s responsibilities may also include conducting interviews and reviewing plans. Experimentation may be necessary in the quest to improve or fine-tune existing environmental features. If the psychologist’s findings have an impact on civil and municipal projects, he or she must be available for public forums. Continuing education is required, just as it is for other health professions.
This field is expected to grow as people become more aware of how their surroundings can affect them in unintended ways, as well as a desire to address social and environmental issues. Environmental psychologists are needed in the private and public sectors to help create the healthiest environments for people to live and work in. In today’s world, it is becoming increasingly important.