Research Methods for Environmental Psychology

Covering the full spectrum of methodology, the timely and indispensible Research Methods for Environmental surveys the research and application methods for studying, changing, and improving human attitudes, behaviour and well-being in relation to the physical environment.

• The first new book covering research methods in environmental psychology in over 25 years. Brings the subject completely up-to-date with coverage of the latest methodology in the field

• The level of public concern over the impact of the environment on humans is high, making this book timely and of real interest to a fast growing discipline

• Comprehensively surveys the research and application methods for studying, changing, and improving human attitudes, behavior, and well-being in relation to the physical environment

• Robert Gifford is internationally recognised as one of the leading individuals in this field, and the contributors include many of the major leaders in the discipline

Autorentext
Robert Gifford is Professor of Psychology and Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria, Canada. Dr. Gifford is the author of over 120 refereed publications and book chapters and five editions of the textbook Environmental Psychology: Principles and Practice (5th edition, 2014). As well as being the editor of the Journal of Environmental Psychology, he serves on the editorial board of Applied Psychology, Architectural Science Review, and Global Environmental Change.

Klappentext

Research Methods for Environmental Psychology is the first new book covering research methods in environmental psychology in over 25 years, bringing the subject completely up-to-date with coverage of the latest methodology. Environmental psychology is an applied field, whose practitioners are interested both in assessment and in application; these dual interests are covered thoroughly in this timely book which comprehensively surveys the research and application methods for studying, changing, and improving human attitudes, behavior, and well-being in relation to the physical environment.

Under the expert guidance of Robert Gifford, a range of leading contributors provide chapters on the full spectrum of methods in the field, from those for fundamental processes such as spatial cognition and environmental perception to those for environmental psychological approaches to planning; designing and evaluating built environments; experimental design for environmental psychology; qualitative methods for understanding perceptions of the environment; action research; simulations of buildings and resource management dilemmas; surveys and questionnaires for environment and behaviour, and intervention techniques and advanced statistical techniques. Gathering together all the important approaches to investigating and improving the connection between people and their physical world, the text is an invaluable guide for those studying and working in the field.

Zusammenfassung

Covering the full spectrum of methodology, the timely and indispensible Research Methods for Environmental surveys the research and application methods for studying, changing, and improving human attitudes, behaviour and well-being in relation to the physical environment.

• The first new book covering research methods in environmental psychology in over 25 years. Brings the subject completely up-to-date with coverage of the latest methodology in the field
• The level of public concern over the impact of the environment on humans is high, making this book timely and of real interest to a fast growing discipline
• Comprehensively surveys the research and application methods for studying, changing, and improving human attitudes, behavior, and well-being in relation to the physical environment
• Robert Gifford is internationally recognised as one of the leading individuals in this field, and the contributors include many of the major leaders in the discipline

Inhalt

Contributors vii

1 Introduction: Environmental Psychology and its Methods 1
Robert Gifford

2 Observational Methods: The First Step in Science 9
Reuven Sussman

3 Behavioral Mapping and Tracking 29
Cheuk Fan Ng

4 Research Designs for Environmental Issues 53
Wokje Abrahamse, P. Wesley Schultz, and Linda Steg

5 Agree to Disagree: A Practical Guide to Conducting Survey Research in Environmental Psychology 71
Donald W. Hine, Christine Kormos, and Anthony D. G. Marks

6 Who Cares? Measuring Environmental Attitudes 93
Amanda McIntyre and Taciano L. Milfont

7 Qualitative Approaches to EnvironmentBehavior Research: Understanding Environmental and Place Experiences, Meanings, and Actions 115
David Seamon and Harneet K. Gill

8 Revealing the Conceptual Systems of Places 137
David Canter

9 Behavioral Methods for Spatial Cognition Research 161
Daniel R. Montello

10 Microworlds: Using Computers to Understand Choices about the Use of Natural Resources 183
Angel Chen and Paul A. Bell

11 Simulating Designed Environments 197
Arthur E. Stamps III

12 Planning the Built Environment: Programming 221
Jay Farbstein, Richard E. Wener, and Lindsay J. McCunn

13 Did that Plan Work? Postoccupancy Evaluation 249
Richard E. Wener, Lindsay J. McCunn, and Jennifer Senick

14 Action Research: Enhancing Application 271
Valeria Cortes and Robert Sommer

15 Research Designs for Measuring the Effectiveness of Interventions 291
Wokje Abrahamse

16 Applying Behavioral Science for Environmental Sustainability 307
E. Scott Geller, Wokje Abrahamse, Branda Guan, and Reuven Sussman

17 Improving Human Functioning: Ecotherapy and Environmental Health Approaches 323
Thomas Doherty and Angel Chen

18 Research and Design for Special Populations 345
John Zeisel, Robert Gifford, Mark Martin, and Lindsay J. McCunn

19 Advanced Statistics for EnvironmentBehavior Research: Multilevel Modeling and Structural Equation Modeling 369
Donald W. Hine, Victor CorralVerdugo, Navjot Bhullar, and Martha FriasArmenta

20 Metaanalysis: An Analysis of Analyses 389
Christine Kormos

Author Index 409

Subject Index 421