Environmental Psychology and Sustainability

Environmental psychology as an institutionally and conceptually unified sub-sector of psychology exploring the interaction between human and physical, social and natural environments. The formation of environmental psychology in an interdisciplinary context at the intersection of psychology, sociology, architecture, urban planning and environmental sciences. Environmental protection as a normative, political and socially structured area of practice where human behaviour is a central influence factor. Basic concepts and guiding principles of environmental psychology: environment as a space of experience, human environment system, sustainable development. The role of environmental psychology in understanding the challenges of modern society in terms of climate change, resource depletion and biodiversity loss.

Human perception of the environment as an active, subjective, and culturally embodied process. Psychological mechanisms of perceiving physical environments, natural landscapes, and urban spaces. The role of sensory, cognitive, and emotional processes in shaping environmental experience. Symbolic meanings of environments, place identity, and sense of belonging. Differences in perceiving natural versus built environments and their impact on well-being, perceived safety, and behavior. Basic principles of environmental aesthetics and landscape perception

Environmental behavior as a psychologically, socially, and situationally determined process. Individual and contextual factors influencing environment-related decision-making. The role of attitudes, values, norms, and habits in sustainable and unsustainable behavior. Mechanisms of rational and irrational choices, cognitive biases, and their role in addressing environmental problems. Decision-making in everyday practice – consumption, mobility, and resource use.

The importance of social environments in human–nature relationships. Social norms, group influence, and social identity as regulators of environmental behavior. Cultural differences in environmental perception and interpretation of environmental issues. The psychology of collective action dilemmas and societal participation in environmental protection. The role of media, education, and social discourse in shaping and maintaining environmental attitudes.

Urban environments as complex human–environment systems. The contribution of environmental psychology to architecture, urban planning, and sustainable design. Psychological impacts of green infrastructure, public spaces, and residential environments on health, well-being, and social interaction. Principles of biophilic design and human-centered planning. Psychological effects of environmental stress, overcrowding, and noise.

The significance of normative regulation in ensuring sustainable development. Core principles of European Union environmental policy, main directives and regulations (climate policy, nature conservation, waste management, air and water quality). The role of international environmental agreements (e.g., the Paris Agreement). Basics of the Latvian environmental legal system and institutional framework. Interaction between human behavior and legal regulation.

The concept of the psychological connection between humans and nature (nature connectedness) and its role in psychological functioning and well-being. Key theoretical approaches explaining the restorative effects of natural environments: the Biophilia Hypothesis, Attention Restoration Theory (ART), and Stress Reduction Theory (SRT). The effects of natural environments on stress, emotions, attention, cognitive fatigue, and psychological well-being. The distinction between exposure to nature and intentional nature-based psychological interventions.

The concept, definitions, and theoretical foundations of nature-based interventions. Classification and main types of nature-based interventions. Structured and unstructured, individual and group-based, active and passive forms of engagement with nature. Forest therapy and forest bathing, nature-based mindfulness practices, walking interventions, gardening/horticultural interventions, ecotherapy, and other nature-based approaches. The interrelationship between the intervention aim, theoretical rationale, mechanisms of action, and expected psychological outcomes.

The use of nature-based psychological interventions across different target groups. Mapping of research and interventions in clinical and non-clinical populations. Interventions for children and adolescents, students, adults, older adults, and professional groups. The use of nature-based interventions to reduce stress, burnout risk, and emotional overload and to promote well-being in non-clinical populations. Interventions for individuals experiencing mental health difficulties and those with clinical diagnoses. Differences between clinical and non-clinical interventions in terms of aims, intensity, implementation, professional competence requirements, safety, and ethical considerations. Scientific evidence regarding intervention effectiveness and its limitations.

Principles for the development of nature-based psychological interventions. Identification of the target group and its psychological needs. Formulation of the theoretical rationale and the proposed mechanisms of change. Selection of intervention components, setting, duration, frequency, and intensity. Safety, accessibility, and ethical considerations. Evaluation of intervention outcomes and effectiveness, including psychological, cognitive, behavioural, and nature-connectedness-related outcomes; pre–post assessment, comparison groups, and qualitative evaluation of participants’ experiences. Critical appraisal of scientific evidence.

Environmental education as a long-term instrument for behavior change. Formal and non-formal education approaches in shaping environmental awareness. Psychological aspects of public participation in environmental decision-making. The importance of community initiatives and civic engagement in environmental protection.

Trends and challenges in the development of environmental psychology. The role of digital technologies and data in influencing environmental behavior. Integration of policy-making and psychological knowledge in the context of sustainable development. Future scenarios of human–environment relationships and the role of environmental psychology in societal change.

Measurement of environmental attitudes and behavior in environmental psychology and its relevance for empirical research. Quantitative instruments, including surveys, self-report scales, and behavioral observations. Qualitative methods, such as interviews and focus groups, and their application in the study of attitudes and behavior. Principles of designing experiments and observational studies, operationalization of variables, and data analysis possibilities. Methodological limitations and interpretation opportunities in environmental psychology research.

Measurement of environmental attitudes and behavior in environmental psychology and its relevance for empirical research. Quantitative instruments, including surveys, self-report scales, and behavioral observations. Qualitative methods, such as interviews and focus groups, and their application in the study of attitudes and behavior. Principles of designing experiments and observational studies, operationalization of variables, and data analysis possibilities. Methodological limitations and interpretation opportunities in environmental psychology research.

Design of behavior change interventions in the context of environmental psychology and their relevance for promoting sustainable actions. Integration of theoretical frameworks and empirical data to identify motivational, normative, and contextual factors influencing sustainable behavior. Principles of intervention design, operationalization of goals and variables, and evaluation methods. Methodological limitations and assessment of effectiveness in environmental behavior interventions.

Design of behavior change interventions in the context of environmental psychology and their relevance for promoting sustainable actions. Integration of theoretical frameworks and empirical data to identify motivational, normative, and contextual factors influencing sustainable behavior. Principles of intervention design, operationalization of goals and variables, and evaluation methods. Methodological limitations and assessment of effectiveness in environmental behavior interventions.

Environmental psychology as an institutionally and conceptually unified sub-sector of psychology exploring the interaction between human and physical, social and natural environments. The formation of environmental psychology in an interdisciplinary context at the intersection of psychology, sociology, architecture, urban planning and environmental sciences. Environmental protection as a normative, political and socially structured area of practice where human behaviour is a central influence factor. Basic concepts and guiding principles of environmental psychology: environment as a space of experience, human environment system, sustainable development. The role of environmental psychology in understanding the challenges of modern society in terms of climate change, resource depletion and biodiversity loss.

Human perception of the environment as an active, subjective, and culturally embodied process. Psychological mechanisms of perceiving physical environments, natural landscapes, and urban spaces. The role of sensory, cognitive, and emotional processes in shaping environmental experience. Symbolic meanings of environments, place identity, and sense of belonging. Differences in perceiving natural versus built environments and their impact on well-being, perceived safety, and behavior. Basic principles of environmental aesthetics and landscape perception

Environmental behavior as a psychologically, socially, and situationally determined process. Individual and contextual factors influencing environment-related decision-making. The role of attitudes, values, norms, and habits in sustainable and unsustainable behavior. Mechanisms of rational and irrational choices, cognitive biases, and their role in addressing environmental problems. Decision-making in everyday practice – consumption, mobility, and resource use.

The importance of social environments in human–nature relationships. Social norms, group influence, and social identity as regulators of environmental behavior. Cultural differences in environmental perception and interpretation of environmental issues. The psychology of collective action dilemmas and societal participation in environmental protection. The role of media, education, and social discourse in shaping and maintaining environmental attitudes.

Urban environments as complex human–environment systems. The contribution of environmental psychology to architecture, urban planning, and sustainable design. Psychological impacts of green infrastructure, public spaces, and residential environments on health, well-being, and social interaction. Principles of biophilic design and human-centered planning. Psychological effects of environmental stress, overcrowding, and noise.

The significance of normative regulation in ensuring sustainable development. Core principles of European Union environmental policy, main directives and regulations (climate policy, nature conservation, waste management, air and water quality). The role of international environmental agreements (e.g., the Paris Agreement). Basics of the Latvian environmental legal system and institutional framework. Interaction between human behavior and legal regulation.

The concept of the psychological connection between humans and nature (nature connectedness) and its role in psychological functioning and well-being. Key theoretical approaches explaining the restorative effects of natural environments: the Biophilia Hypothesis, Attention Restoration Theory (ART), and Stress Reduction Theory (SRT). The effects of natural environments on stress, emotions, attention, cognitive fatigue, and psychological well-being. The distinction between exposure to nature and intentional nature-based psychological interventions.

The concept, definitions, and theoretical foundations of nature-based interventions. Classification and main types of nature-based interventions. Structured and unstructured, individual and group-based, active and passive forms of engagement with nature. Forest therapy and forest bathing, nature-based mindfulness practices, walking interventions, gardening/horticultural interventions, ecotherapy, and other nature-based approaches. The interrelationship between the intervention aim, theoretical rationale, mechanisms of action, and expected psychological outcomes.

Principles for the development of nature-based psychological interventions. Identification of the target group and its psychological needs. Formulation of the theoretical rationale and the proposed mechanisms of change. Selection of intervention components, setting, duration, frequency, and intensity. Safety, accessibility, and ethical considerations. Evaluation of intervention outcomes and effectiveness, including psychological, cognitive, behavioural, and nature-connectedness-related outcomes; pre–post assessment, comparison groups, and qualitative evaluation of participants’ experiences. Critical appraisal of scientific evidence.

Principles for the development of nature-based psychological interventions. Identification of the target group and its psychological needs. Formulation of the theoretical rationale and the proposed mechanisms of change. Selection of intervention components, setting, duration, frequency, and intensity. Safety, accessibility, and ethical considerations. Evaluation of intervention outcomes and effectiveness, including psychological, cognitive, behavioural, and nature-connectedness-related outcomes; pre–post assessment, comparison groups, and qualitative evaluation of participants’ experiences. Critical appraisal of scientific evidence.

Trends and challenges in the development of environmental psychology. The role of digital technologies and data in influencing environmental behavior. Integration of policy-making and psychological knowledge in the context of sustainable development. Future scenarios of human–environment relationships and the role of environmental psychology in societal change.

Measurement of environmental attitudes and behavior in environmental psychology and its relevance for empirical research. Quantitative instruments, including surveys, self-report scales, and behavioral observations. Qualitative methods, such as interviews and focus groups, and their application in the study of attitudes and behavior. Principles of designing experiments and observational studies, operationalization of variables, and data analysis possibilities. Methodological limitations and interpretation opportunities in environmental psychology research.

Design of behavior change interventions in the context of environmental psychology and their relevance for promoting sustainable actions. Integration of theoretical frameworks and empirical data to identify motivational, normative, and contextual factors influencing sustainable behavior. Principles of intervention design, operationalization of goals and variables, and evaluation methods. Methodological limitations and assessment of effectiveness in environmental behavior interventions.