Physical environment affects our thoughts, feelings and behaviour. The physical environment includes noise, temperature, quality of air and food. Moreover, the man-made environment also affect our behaviour. It includes-cities, residences, officer, roads, railways etc. The environmental psychology came into existence in 1960. There is continuous interaction between human and the environment. The environment has its, impact on human behaviour. Environmental psychology is a study between physical environment and human behaviour. It is a branch of psychology related to the human behaviour based on the environment around us and its sociopsychological and cultural changes. The physical environment and psychological processes are inter related. Both the environment and the human affect each other.
The noise around us, air, water, food etc. form the physical world. Our social environment includes stimuli from family, attitudes of friends and various social challenges. Literature, music, art and special structures are included in the cultural environment. The psychological environment includes - thoughts, imagination, emotions, education, motivation, etc. Thoughts, feelings, perceptions, attitudes and other feelings are known as behaviour.
The relationship between environment and behaviour is indicated in the figure given below.
1. Physical Environment
2. Socioculturat Environment
3. Environmental Orientation
4. Environmental Behaviour
5. Products of Behaviour
As shown in the figure, five factors of human environment relation are mentioned below :
(1) Physical Factors : It includes aspects like - climate, rainfall, temperature and flora and fauna.
(2) Sociocultural Factors : Aspects of culture such as - norms, customs, , attitudes, prejudices, beliefs and socialization process are included in it.
(3) Environmental Oriented Factors : It is concerned about the belief of people about their environment and also with the environmental issues.
(4) Environment Related Behavioural Factors : It includes the use of environment by the people on the course of social interaction.
(5) Products of Behaviour : Outcomes of people's efforts such as-homes, cities, dams, climate changes etc. are included in it.