Modeling and Managing Change in People-Environment Transactions

Environmental psychology, and the field of environment-behavior studies (EBS) more generally, examine the dynamic transactions between people and their everyday, sociophysical environments (Bechtel, 1997; Proshansky, Ittelson, & Rivlin, 1976). These everyday environments include people’s homes, neighborhoods, work, and community settings. In keeping with Lewin’s (1936) action research orientation, research in environmental psychology integrates the scientific goals of analyzing and explaining the nature of people-environment transactions, with the more practical goal of enhancing–even optimizing–people’s relationships with their surroundings through effective strategies of urban planning and environmental design (cf., Stokols, 1978; Weisman, 1983).