What is the definition of environmental psychology?

Environmental psychology is fundamentally concerned with understanding the dynamic relationship between individuals and their physical environments. This area of study explores how various elements of the environment—such as buildings, urban spaces, and natural landscapes—affect human behavior, emotions, and mental processes, as well as how individuals perceive and interact with these environments.

This approach encompasses a wide range of interactions, including how space design influences social behavior, the psychological effects of environmental stressors like noise or crowding, and the impact of the environment on well-being and health. By examining this interplay, environmental psychology seeks to inform design practices that promote better living conditions, enhance comfort, and foster positive interactions between people and their environments.

The other options highlight important areas but do not capture the essence of environmental psychology. The study of natural ecosystems and their conservation focuses more on ecological concerns. The study of market trends pertains to economic behavior rather than environmental interaction. Lastly, while physiological effects of environmental changes are relevant, they focus more on bodily responses rather than the psychological underpinnings of the individual-environment relationship.