Environmental Psychology: Human Interaction with the Environment

This lecture introduces the field of environmental psychology, focusing on the human-environment interaction at different levels. It covers topics such as the social nature of humans, power dynamics, and the history of environmental psychology. The lecture explores theories, cognitive biases, and research methods used in studying environmental behavior. It delves into the concepts of psychological distance, construal level theory, and the impact of attitudes and norms on pro-environmental behaviors. Additionally, it discusses biases, such as loss aversion and optimism bias, and their influence on decision-making related to climate change. The lecture concludes with a critical analysis of psychological barriers to climate change mitigation and adaptation.