0P500 Capita Selecta of Environmental Psychology

Format: Discussion classes

We will meet on a regular basis. Every meeting is thoroughly prepared by each participant, by studying the background articles. Participants will take turns in chairing the meetings and discussing the articles. The other participants will actively participate in these discussions.

Discussing comprises:

• giving some background info on the author(s)

• giving a short description of the contents of the article (topic, type of article, methods et cetera)

• relating this work to the general theoretical framework

• critically discussing research methods and findings

• formulating questions and/or comments

The literature is chosen around 3 topics:

• the use of simulations in environmental psychology

• restorative effects of environments

• spaces and places for social interaction.

Yvonne will provide the titles for the first two topics (see below); students will be asked to search for manuscripts around the third topic.

Examination of the course consists of:

1. active participation in the discussions

2. writing assignment 1: discussion section for an article

3. writing assignment 2: critical discussion of a new manuscript (relating it to 2-3 other papers), ór a research proposal

Presence at the meetings is required.

More info will be available shortly.

Reading materials for 0P500

Simulations in Environmental Psychology Research:

Meitner, M. J. (2004). Scenic beauty of river views in the Grand Canyon: relating perceptual judgments to locations. Landscape and Urban Planning, 68 (1), 3-13.

Murray, C.D., Bowers, J., West, A., Pettifer, S., and Gibson, S. (2000). Navigation, wayfinding and place experience within a virtual city. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments 9(5), 438-451.

Rohrmann, B., & Bishop, I. (2002). Subjective responses to computer simulations of urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 22, 319-331.

Bailenson, J.N., Blascovich, J., Beall, A.C., & Loomis, J.M. (2001). Equilibrium revisited: Mutual gaze and personal space in virtual environments. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 10. 583-598.

Restorative Environments:

Hartig, T., Evans, G.W., Jamner, L.D., Davis, D.S., & Gärling, T. (2003). Tracking restoration in natural and urban field settings. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 23, 109-124.

Ulrich, R. S., Simons, R. F., Losito, B. D., Fiorito, E., Miles, M. A., & Zelson, M. (1991). Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 11, 201-230.

Taylor, A. F., Kuo, F. E., & Sullivan, W. C. (2001). Coping With ADD: The Surprising Connection to Green Play Settings. Environment and Behavior, 33 (1), 54-77.

Laumann, K., Gärling, T., & Stormark, K. M. (2003). Selective attention and heart rate responses to natural and urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 23, 125-134.

Places and Spaces for Social Interaction:

TBD: Each participant will suggest 1 scientific article.