1st Edition
Psychological Theories for Environmental Issues
Environmental psychology is an increasingly important area of research, focusing on the individual and social factors responsible for many critical human responses to the physical environment. With such rapid and widespread growth, the main theoretical strands have often been left unclear and their scientific and practical implications have been underdeveloped. This essential and stimulating book contextualizes and critically analyzes the main theoretical ideas. It compares the different theories, assessing each one's possibilities and limitations, and demonstrates how each approach has been used for the development of knowledge of environmental psychology. The research area infiltrates a broad selection of disciplines, including psychology, architecture, planning, geography, sociology, environmental issues, economics and law. It also offers significant contributions to a wide range of policy evaluations. It will prove invaluable to academics and practitioners from across these disciplines, above all those in planning, environmental studies, human geography and psychology.
Biography
Mirilia Bonnes, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Rome, Italy. Marino Bonaiuto, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Rome, Italy. Terence Lee, School of Psychology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, UK.
’Neglect of theory is a serious issue in the study of people-environment relationships. This volume corrects that problem - weaving together a range of mainstream theories with theories unique to human-environment relationships. It will be an invaluable source of ideas for researchers and practitioners alike, and will enhance our efforts to understand and create better environments for all people.’ Dr Irwin Altman, University of Utah, USA ’This well-known trio of editors has done us the service of bringing within one set of covers an authoritative yet approachable set of chapters on some of the key concepts in contemporary environmental psychology, such as place attachment, theories of identity and schemata; giving them a broader context within the psychology of cognition, perception and social discourse. Where else could one find, for example, a compendium of the measures that have been used to measure place attachment? Or as forcefully and convincingly put argument that any account of self must include the relationship between self and environment as Claire Twigger-Ross gives? Each chapter introduces the reader to the theories in mainstream psychology which underlie environmental issues in an authoritative and up-to-date fashion.’ Dr Christopher Spencer, University of Sheffield, UK '...an interesting read...The book is clearly written by psychologists, for psychologists...unlike many other books in environmental psychology, this book provides a European perspective.' Environmental Values
