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PSYC11-107: Environmental Psychology

Description

Environmental Psychology explores how humans perceive, experience, and interact with their physical surroundings. This course examines theories, empirical research, and real-world applications to understand how environmental factors shape behaviour, cognition, and well-being. Topics include urban design, sustainability, spatial cognition, restorative environments, and climate change psychology. Students will engage with classic and contemporary research, hands-on activities, and critical discussions.

Subject details

Type: Undergraduate Subject
Code: PSYC11-107
EFTSL: 0.125
Faculty: Faculty of Society and Design
Semesters offered:
  • September 2025 [Standard Offering]
Credit: 10
Study areas:
  • Psychology, Criminology, and Social Sciences
Subject fees:
  • Commencing in 2025: $4,460.00
  • Commencing in 2026: $4,600.00
  • Commencing in 2025: $5,990.00
  • Commencing in 2026: $6,260.00

Learning outcomes

  1. Explain the key theories, concepts, and historical foundations of environmental psychology, including the dynamic relationship between people and their physical environments.
  2. Critically evaluate research methods used in environmental psychology, including observational, experimental, and field-based approaches, with attention to ecological validity and ethical considerations.
  3. Analyse how individuals perceive, interpret, and interact with environments, including spatial cognition, wayfinding, personal space, territoriality, privacy, and responses to environmental stressors.
  4. Apply environmental psychological theories to support well-being and restoration, particularly through the design of supportive, natural, and biophilic environments.
  5. Integrate psychological principles to address environmental sustainability, justice, and behaviour change, recognising the roles of cognitive biases, cultural values, identity, and community-based interventions.

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Nil

Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

All psychology programs are accredited in the sequence presented and designed to provide students with learning and graduate outcomes aligned with APAC accreditation standards.

Restrictions:

Nil

Subject dates

  • Standard Offering
    Enrolment opens: 20/07/2025
    Semester start: 15/09/2025
    Subject start: 15/09/2025
    Last enrolment: 28/09/2025
    Teaching census: 10/10/2025
    Withdraw - Financial: 11/10/2025
    Withdraw - Academic: 01/11/2025
Standard Offering
Enrolment opens: 20/07/2025
Semester start: 15/09/2025
Subject start: 15/09/2025
Last enrolment: 28/09/2025
Teaching census: 10/10/2025
Withdraw - Financial: 11/10/2025
Withdraw - Academic: 01/11/2025